David Middleton with uncollected rubbish in Westminster Road, Toothill Picture Ref: 76983-35COUNCIL leader Mike Bawden has said sorry for the mounting bin chaos across town.

And, he admits the council did not get everything right when it introduced its new rubbish and recycling scheme 11 days ago.

The apology comes after the Advertiser has been reporting on problems with the new refuse collection date and recycling scheme.

We have been inundated with letters and calls from angry residents who have had problems with the new scheme.

Mr Bawden, right, said: "On behalf of the council I would like to apologise to residents who have had problems with our collections.

"However, I have been pleased by the number of boxes I have seen on the edge of property on collection days.

"I know we have had problems in some areas but we are resolving these as soon as they come in.

"At the moment any missed refuse collections are being collected within 48 hours of report."

He added: "I admit that we didn't get everything 100 per cent right but we must put this exercise into context.

"More than 90 per cent of homes in the borough were included, we distributed 75,000 leaflets and 35,000 boxes.

"It was a huge logistical challenge.

"I'd like to thank local residents for bearing with us and for supporting recycling so enthusiastically."

According to Mr Bawden the biggest problem was caused by three refuse carts breaking down, which meant some collections were late.

He also addressed the issue of recycling for residents in flats.

He said: "People who live in flats generally don't have anywhere to store a recycling box so have not been included in the scheme and would not have received a leaflet."

He added: "Managers are now reviewing the service and the teething problems experienced in the first week to see whether any action is needed for future collections."

The recycling scheme has been introduced to meet Government targets.

Swindon needs to achieve a 30 per cent recycling level by 2006, from its current 21 per cent.

Since the introduction of the new scheme the council estimate that up to 70 per cent of homes, which have received a recycling box have started using it.

So far the council has collected about 100 tonnes of garden waste and 450 tonnes of recyclables.

Former Mayor, Derek Benfield, of Covingham Park, is pleased the council has been honest.

He said: "It's good of Mike Bawden to admit the mistake, as leader of the council the buck falls with him."

Residents who are angry

DESPITE the council's apology some residents are still not happy.

David Middleton, of Westminster Road, Toothill, is angry with the council even though it has admitted its mistakes.

The 44-year-old home carer should have had his rubbish collected on Tuesday.

But it is mounting up on the kerbside along with the rest of his neighbours'.

He said: "They came and took the rubbish from part of the street but have left the rest."

When Mr Middleton was told the council plan to collect left over rubbish within 48 hours he laughed.

He said: "I don't believe a word the council say.

"The refuse collection is just getting worse.

"It was bad before all of this."

He added: "Yes they are apologetic but they aren't thinking about the health aspect, the hot weather and animals.

"I have had to pick up rubbish that's come out of the bags myself."

Mr Bawden called the trouble 'teething problems'.

Mr Middleton said: "This is not teething problems because quite honestly it hasn't been thought out properly. The council should have had a trial run first and then they would have anticipated these problems.

"It needs a total reorganisation."

He added: "In principal it's a good idea, in practice they've got a lot of work to do to get it right."

Lyndsay Scanlan