Is this wheelie the best way? (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Is this wheelie the best way?

A TRIAL of wheelie bins in West Swindon will come under the spotlight tonight.

The bins have been in place since June and now councillors are due to discuss feedback from residents before making a long-term decision on the scheme.

A total of 10,000 homes are taking part in the trial, which sees wheelie bins collected fortnightly.

The service is supplemented by a weekly collection of dry recyclables.

Some people have complained that collections need to be more frequent but Coun Fionuala Foley, cabinet member for corporate affairs, policy and performance, claims it is an incentive to recycle.

"Recycling rates in West Swindon are the best in Swindon, thanks to this trial," she said.

"The wheelie bins are emptied once a fortnight, which is a great incentive for people to recycle."

But Coun Foley (Con, Old Town & Lawn) said a minority are still not separating their household waste.

"We visited the area recently and found black bin bags full of old newspapers and cans these items can be recycled," she said.

And while Swindon is improving its recycling rate, the council still stands to be fined £3m in 2009 if further improvements are not made.

"We have got to increase recycling in Swindon or we will be fined," said Coun Foley.

"This is an especially important message in the run up to Christmas.

"I would urge residents across Swindon to recycle the cardboard packaging that presents come in as well as wrapping paper and Christmas cards."

Coun Douglas Stewart (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms) has welcomed the trial but is disappointed that more homes in his ward were not included.

He said: "Only 10,000 homes were included in this trial there are a lot more houses than that in West Swindon.

"Wheelie bins are far superior to bins they're more hygienic because the don't split open."

But the trial has not been without its problems.

In June residents in Castleton Road, Middleleaze, complained about piles of rubbish being left outside their homes.

Jeannette Symons said she had three weeks of rubbish which would not all fit in the wheelie bin. "The lid was not quite shut so they took the top bag out before they took away the bin," she said. "But they just left that bag on the ground.

Problems were still continuing several months later.

In October the Adver told how an area in Castleton Road was infested with maggots.

Homeowner and mum-of-three Justine Hantakaross blamed the fortnightly collection, which she claimed was not sufficient for families.

"They put the council tax up but reduced our services," she said. "Collecting the rubbish once every two weeks is not enough. I have to take two bags to the tip every week."

Anyone with questions about their collection days should call 01793 463463.

The meeting of the environment and leisure overview committee, which is open to the public, takes place at 6.30pm in Committee Room 6 at the Civic Offices.

Kevin Shoesmith