Labour Councillors have called on the Council to radically improve its bulky waste collection service as one way to stop the epidemic of dumped mattresses, freezers and furniture on many Westminster streets.
Currently, the Council charges £30 to collect up to 6 items from residents. But it can take up to 10 days for the Council to collect the items.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/residential-bulky-waste
A recent Facebook post and picture describes a Walterton Road resident’s frustration with the Council’s not-fit-for-purpose current arrangements:
“Yes, it’s another one of those angry photos of our local bins… I completely share the sentiments of whoever graffitied this dumped fridge which I can almost guarantee will be gone in 24hrs. I’m feeling the anger a little more acutely that I normally do because I also have a broken fridge freezer. It’s currently sitting in my sitting room, because after I paid WCC’s waste removal contractor £30 to pick it up, I have to wait 9 DAYS for them to come and get it. I promise you, I was very tempted to just leave my fridge freezer by these bins as although there is always loads of crap there it is NEVER left there for 9 DAYS. The injustice of this has really p*ssed me off today. £30! 9DAYS! I salute the graffiti artist.”
Other residents may similar points:
“I am trying to dispose of large items legally and responsibly using the Council, it is most unhelpful. Not only do Veolia (contacted via the Westminster council site) charge over £20 but they then refuse to pick up for over a fortnight, even though they take full payment at time of booking. No wonder people leave their unwanted furniture etc. all over the streets.”
Another resident tweeted:
“Recently booked bulky pickup thru Westminster site. Two minute process Easy. Got multiple texts as reminder of pickup too. Only downside was 1-2 week wait for collection.”
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Labour’s City Management spokesperson, said:
“The Council needs to join the 21st century, and quickly. Expecting people to store unwanted beds, freezers and fridges for two weeks before they are collected by the Council is totally unreasonable and impractical for the vast majority of people. Most people living in flats do not have the space to store bulky goods. These days people expect a much swifter service than the Council currently provides. Why can’t the Council provide a daily pick up service for bulky goods?”
Last year, Labour launched a 10 point Action Plan to rid Westminster of its many rubbish dumping hot spots