With looming changes to bin collections across Kirklees, householders in Fartown went almost two MONTHS without their bins being emptied.
Residents in Dewhurst Road had waste piling up after their last fortnightly collection on June 23.
It was only when the Examiner got involved that the council finally turned up to clear the rubbish – at noon today (Friday).
One of the residents, driving instructor Pete Tiernan, has complained to Kirklees Council but has had no apology or explanation.
“The rubbish was just mounting up,” he said. “The bins were full and there were bags everywhere.
“Some of the rubbish in the bottom of my bin was six weeks old and that’s a health hazard.
“People put dirty nappies in their bins and we have had our baby granddaughter round if you see what I mean.
“From an environmental point of view it’s horrendous.”
Pete lives in a detached bungalow but his neighbours are in back-to-back houses and bins line a narrow lane. There have been access problems with the collections before.
“I rang the council and was given a link to a website to complain,” said Pete. “Our normal bin day is Tuesday but they need to get this sorted. People say they have seen rats.”
The council is also introducing new rules and won’t empty “overweight” bins or those over-flowing with the lids open.
Residents have also complained about bins not being put back where they were left, blocking driveways or obstructing pavements.
Mirfield Tory councillor Martyn Bolt took up complaints and said: “We’ve all seen streets that look like slalom courses with bins all over the place.
“If the council is now telling the public what is expected of them it is only fair that the binmen do their bit as well.”
Clr Bolt said the council had told him they received few complaints about how bins were left but he had been assured by a council officer that bins should be replaced “as close as possible” to where they were collected from and not left to cause an obstruction or inconvenience.
Clr Bolt said: “If people have experienced problems such as these they should complain to the council.
“If the public has to present their bin in a certain way it is only fair the binmen put them back carefully.”
A council spokesman said: “The council is aware of access problems for Dewhurst Road due to parked cars blocking the turn in and exit.
“Multiple attempts by different crews have been made to access the area but the issue has remained.”
A specialist vehicle had been sent to clear the waste.
On putting bins back, the spokesman added: “The official policy is that residents must present their bins on the curtilage of their property or at a designated collection point unless receiving an assisted collection.
“Crews should then return the empty bins tidily.”
