Council faces legal action over bin collection fails

A council is at risk of being taken to court over a series of bin collection failures which have left streets in a poor condition.

Thanet District Council has been served the notice by Ramsgate resident Steven Keeley, who said he found his street full of rubbish, with animals tearing open the bags, after his collection was 24 hours late.

Residents have complained of missed collections and rubbish piling up since changes to the recycling system for thousands of properties.

A spokesperson for the council confirmed its legal team had received the notice and said it would respond in due course after considering the matter.

Keeley said he served the council a notice under Section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

This allows any resident take a council to the magistrates court where a statutory nuisance exists, and rotting household waste on a residential street qualifies.

He said: "I've been looking in community groups at complaints, but nothing has happened.

"It's about time the community deserved better so I'm taking action."

Homes in the district have been changed to weekly food waste collections, with mixed recycling and general waste collections alternating each week.

The changes were brought in after government rules required councils to collect certain recyclable waste, including food waste, from 31 March.

Keeley added: "Animals can cause rubbish to go everywhere and it can cause issues with pollution, rats and maggots.

"We're in peak season, it does put people off coming to the area and it will have an impact on the local economy."

The council spokesperson said: "Crews were out on 25 and 26 July to pick up further collections missed during the week.

"Following the introduction of additional rounds to support the waste and recycling service, announced earlier this month, there have been significant improvements to household collection rates.

"This is a trend which is expected to continue."

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.