RESIDENTS of a Reigate cul-de-sac have been told they can no longer use canvas bags for garden waste – because binmen could be lifted into rubbish trucks when emptying them.
Instead, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, which made the decision "following advice from the Health and Safety Executive", will be delivering bulky brown wheelie bins to residents of Summerly Avenue and Burnham Drive.
The change has been criticised by residents, most of whom are elderly and say they would struggle to push a wheelie bin to the front of their house on collection day.
But the main problem is the lack of space to store the bins at the terraced houses.
One resident, who the Mirror agreed not to name, said: "Apart from the steps, we don't have space, or indeed the need, for large brown wheelie bins for our garden waste. There is literally nowhere to put them and for most gardens, even if you cut down everything you would struggle to fill one.
"Leave the poor grannies their green sacks and let the refuse collectors flex their muscles and do what they signed up for."
Neighbour Hedi Statham said: "We don't want bins here on a road already cluttered with cars. I'll kick up a fuss. There's no room at the inn."
Borough council streetscene manager Frank Etheridge said: "Following advice from the Health and Safety Executive, we have decided to withdraw garden waste sacks.
"This issue is nothing to do with the weight of the sacks. The danger arises from the need to recover sacks once they're emptied. Our crews have to stand next to automated bin lifts with the associated risk of being lifted bodily into the refuse vehicle.
"Our garden waste service is a discretionary service, which means that it is not one that we're obliged to provide but we do so because we know some residents find it useful."
He added those who do not have space for a wheelie bin can use a composter or take garden waste to tips at Earlswood or Epsom.
