The Easter holidays are almost upon us, leaving Swindon residents wondering what will happen to their usual waste and recycling collections during the four-day weekend.

But despite two bank holidays in swift succession, Swindon Borough Council has said that collections are slated to take place as normal.

The authority posted wrote on social media: “There will be no changes to waste and recycling collections on either Friday,  March 29 or Monday, April 1.

“Residents who are due collections on either of these days should place their containers out as normal.”

Waste and recycling collection has been a significant issue for residents and the council for several months.

Missed collections and what the council calls ‘dropped work’ – where crews knowingly don’t collect bins or recycling from some houses or streets in order to complete their rounds, increased greatly in the summer.

At the time the newly-installed cabinet member responsible, Councillor Chris Watts, said an ageing fleet of lorries, with breakdowns frequent, as well as a shortage of staff, particularly drivers, was responsible.

Things improved, but then took a turn for the worse after a new collection regime, which saw rounds rejigged and weekly food waste collection across the borough rolled out, was brought in in November.

Recycling collections, particularly after Christmas, were badly affected, with the council facing criticism for very high levels of missed and dropped work.