Residents in Cobridge have been contacted by Stoke-on-Trent City Council over leaving bins out – calling it a 'blight'.

In response to reports of bins being left out the city council has sent a letter to residents of Cobridge reminding them to take their bin in.

Bins can be left out after 7pm the night before collection and should be taken in by 7pm on the day of collection. However in response to complaints by residents along Hawthorn Street of bins being left out and bin bags being piled high, residents have been told of possible consequences.

The letter sent to residents states: "If wheelie bins are left on the highway, the council may issue formal notices requiring the wheelie bins to be removed. The notices will normally regulate when bins can be out and if not complied with may result in legal proceedings and possible prosecution."

Last year the city council amended rules allowing for two bin bags to be left out alongside collection, however must be put alongside the bin no earlier than 7pm on the evening before the collection date and no later than 6am on the day of the collection. If bags are left out outside of this period it will be treated as illegal dumping and a fixed penalty notice will be issued.

Last year the council amended rules allowing for two bin bags to be left out alongside wheelie bins (Nub News).

Hawthorn Street resident George Shaw said: "I always go round and bring it round because I can manage but if you live half way down the street it's a long walk with a full bin from round the back. You can't keep your bins at the front, fair enough because it's not something you want to see but at the same time you've got to bear in mind that there are older people and people disadvantaged, so I don't know if the council could offer a service.

"I feel affronted sometimes because I move my bin but when they say in the middle of winter you can't put your bin out before seven on the evening prior to collection, people might not want to be walking around these entries in the dark."

James Carter said: "I know people leave their bins out but you can still get past them. I know it might not look the best but it is a lot easier for some people rather than walking all the way around every week."

Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for City Pride, Enforcement and Sustainability said: "I can confirm that we have sent letters to streets in the Cobridge area in response to reports that bins are being left out after collection day. This can cause an obstruction to pedestrians, particularly for wheelchair or pushchair access as well as making the area look less attractive.

"I'd remind all residents that bins can be left out after 7pm the night before collection and should be taken in by 7pm on the day of collection. We will take residents' personal circumstances, such as illness or shift work, into consideration when investigating any reports of bins being left out. 

"We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to those who continue to blight our city – and we mean it."

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READ MORE: Man in his 80s caught driving the wrong way on M6 near Stoke-on-Trent

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