CONFUSION reigns over the kerbside recycling scheme in Wootton Bassett.

Householders who are not eligible for the collections because they live in narrow or busy roads feel they are being prevented from environmentally friendly.

And they are angry at not getting the same level of service as the rest of the town residents.

Town councillors are now working with contractors Hills Recycling to find a compromise.

Bath Road resident Sally Priddy said many residents in her street are concerned about being left out of the scheme. She currently takes her bottles and paper to a recycling point.

The 52-year-old said: "We feel it is unfair some roads have the scheme and some roads don't. I try to do my bit but it is not easy but we do really care about the issue.

"You are not supposed to make specific car journeys for recycling, which would increase pollution, but I walk to work so I don't use my car much.

"I am quite prepared for Bath Road residents to leave their boxes with their recycling on my drive. I suggested that to the company a couple of weeks ago."

The contractors will not be carrying out their fortnightly collection from Bath Road, High Street, the lower end of Wood Street, Victory Row, Church Street, Beamans Lane, the Maltings and Vale View.

The £1 million Rubbish Raiders scheme was introduced in September by Wiltshire Waste partnership, made up of Wiltshire County Council, and the county's four district councils.

Each household was given a 55-litre box, which is emptied fortnightly.

The collectors sort the waste at the roadside and so the process takes longer than normal waste collection.

Coun Kerrie Dixon, (Lib Dem) said: "We hope we can sort something out. It is dangerous for operatives to go down narrow roads but I am sure we can find a solution to this."

Coun John Allen, (Con) said: "It was a brilliant idea but it has fallen down because the residents were once again not consulted or informed."

Tim Millar, recycling manager at Hills, said most of the town was covered by the scheme.

"There are a number of reasons why some areas are not covered. One is that Bath Road and the High Street are very busy and it was decided it would cause too much congestion if the collections took place there.

"In the other areas the roads are too narrow for the vehicle.

"We want to provide the service everywhere. If there is a viable alternative we are happy to consider it."

He said there were recycling sites in the Iceland car park, the Boroughfields Shopping Centre and near the Prince of Wales pub.

bvadde@newswilts.co.uk