MOST roads in the district have now had their refuse and green waste collected following the recent heavy snowfalls. Andrew Robertson, head of environmental and regulatory services at the district council, thanked residents for their patience and said the

MOST roads in the district have now had their refuse and green waste collected following the recent heavy snowfalls.

Andrew Robertson, head of environmental and regulatory services at the district council, thanked residents for their patience and said there were now only a few roads and individual properties where catch-up collections were being made.

He went on: "The team is now working to our usual collection timetable and we expect the whole district to be back to normal by Monday, January 25, assuming there is no further heavy snowfall.

"We have suspended our 'no-excess' waste policy for the next two weeks and will be collecting all refuse, including any excess sacks, until February 1."

The waste collection was badly affected by the snow which left roads and pavements too icy to navigate by heavy waste collection vehicles and crews.

The service was temporarily suspended for three working days and was resumed last Monday (11).

Cllr Geoff Churchard, portfolio holder for environmental and sustainability at the district council, said: "The waste collection team with the help of extra crews has worked extremely hard by revisiting previously inaccessible roads and collecting excess waste in order to catch up with the collection schedule.

"This is the second time in recent months that the team has had to contend with the aftermath of a heavy snowfall. It also made a special effort to ensure that the service got back on track following snow prior to Christmas last year.

"I am pleased their hard work has been recognised by a number of residents who have contacted the council to thank staff and show their support."

Cllr Churchard added: "The council's refuse working party will be looking to see if more flexible working arrangements could be introduced during poor weather conditions in future and a report will be going to cabinet in March."

Residents needing to find out which day their collection should take place can find details at www.recyingforapremier.com/collection-calendar

Don't miss Herts Advertiser reporter Charlotte Morgan's day out with the refuse collectors, and your comments on the recent problems - all in this week's newspaper.