REVISED arrangements for the collection of waste during periods of snowy and icy weather will go before councillors next week. St Albans district council came under strong criticism for delays in rubbish collections when the sub-zero temperatures hit the

REVISED arrangements for the collection of waste during periods of snowy and icy weather will go before councillors next week.

St Albans district council came under strong criticism for delays in rubbish collections when the sub-zero temperatures hit the area in January.

In total, six collection days were suspended in December and January due to the adverse conditions and four days were taken up with bank holidays - making a total of two working weeks lost in just five weeks.

That left some residents having to wait for four weeks for their rubbish to be collected.

The district council's cabinet will vote on a number of proposals to improve the service during bad weather on Tuesday (March 2).

The proposals include a collect-all policy when disruption lasts between three and seven days so that waste in green and black bins is taken away at the same time.

But that would mean everything going to landfill so residents would have the option to hold on to their green waste if they wanted to.

And, when disruption goes beyond seven days, the council is proposing an emergency collection service whereby refuse bags will need to be taken to specific points on main roads - such as car parks - which are accessible to the crews for collection. During the subsequent catch-up period, excess waste in bags would be collected when the black bins are emptied.

The council is also looking into using chains or snow tyres on collection vehicles, obtaining snow removal and gritting equipment, as well as paying the work force to work Sundays and bank holidays during catch-up periods.

A decision on all the ideas will be taken at a later date.