LOOKING across social media, it would seem all is not well with the performance of One Trafford with regards to weekly bin collections.

From my own experience, we had two missed bin collections from a large apartment block in Altrincham with a total of 18 bins.

We followed the One Trafford advice of reporting a ‘missed bin collection’ on the Trafford Council website and sent numerous follow up emails only to be told the problem had been escalated (twice) but the bins remained un-emptied.

Due to the lack of response, the executive board of Trafford Council was emailed with a summary of all logs made and follow up email dates. It was made clear that the bins were not ‘red carded’ and there was no apparent reason why the bins had not been collected on the usual collection dates.

The blue and black bins were eventually emptied on August 8, 22 days late (blue bins) and eight days late (Black bins). Due to the 2 missed collections, the grey (non re-cycling bins) couldn’t cope with the extra waste, so additional waste bags were placed on the floor of the bin storage area.

From past experience, we have learnt not to put bags on top of the bins as this can sometimes be used as a reason for the bins not to be emptied. So after multiple reports, follow up emails and emails to the Executive board of Trafford Council, it was very disappointing to get an email from the council who confirmed the bins had been inspected and the additional waste bags would not be collected (A somewhat disappointing response, considering the additional waste bags were due to their failings) We are not sure who inspected the bins and additional waste bags, but all bins and the additional waste bags were collected on August 8 and dumped into one waste lorry (I guess re-cycling wasn’t a priority that week), which suggests a total lack of communication within the waste management team and implies that the different bin collections (blue, black and grey) don’t cooperate or work together.

We did email the Executive board at Trafford Council to thank them for concluding the issue, but as we never get a response or apology from One Trafford, we asked for some clarity from the board on why the bins were not collected on the original collection date, why multiple online reports were raised and not acted upon, why follow up emails were given a standard response of “this has been escalated” and if it’s acceptable to have to involve the Executive board and local councillors to get your bins emptied.

Seven days later we were yet to receive an explanation, response or apology from One Trafford or the Executive Board of Trafford Council, but when you review the aforementioned comedy of errors, we’re really not that surprised.

Kevin J Parker Altrincham