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Thanet District Council slammed for not emptying over-flowing bins in areas such as Dumpton Gap

By: Katie Davis

Published: 11:03, 22 September 2017

Angry residents have taken to social media to raise concerns regarding over-flowing bins across the district.

One of the areas most affected is Dumpton Gap, where rubbish and dog poo bags have clearly been left next to bins piled up with waste.

One resident, Geoff Hickie, has slammed the council saying he is 'angry' at the amount of council tax he pays when the bins are not being emptied.

Over-flowing bins at Dumpton Gap. Pic: Geoff Hickie

Mr Hickie walks his dogs at Dumpton Gap every day and has complained that the bins have not been emptied in days.

He said: "I am angry and annoyed at the amount of council taxes I have to pay to this council.

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"I walk my dogs on the beaches in Ramsgate and Broadstairs every day and when I do I take litter pickers and a bag and I collect every single piece of rubbish that I can find and then when leaving the beach empty the rubbish into the wheelie bins on the promenades.

"How can I empty my bag of rubbish into the wheelie bins, when they are full to the top and surrounded by litter and full of poo bags?"

People have been complaining about the piled up waste. Pic: Derek Ives

He also commented that he would 'love to know why TDC thinks that when September comes they can remove the wheelie bins and stop emptying the ones that are left'.

The concerned resident added: "If the people at TDC think the beaches are empty from September may I suggest they get out of their stuffy offices and walk along the beaches some time and see the amount of people still using these beaches and chucking their litter all over the place.

"I am surprised and dismayed that TDC want to take the DNA of all dogs in Thanet to reduce dog fouling, yet they won't empty the bins in the surrounding areas, which are full of dog poo bags.

"I phoned TDC a few days ago to complain about his problem and asked for the manager to call me back and was assured he would, I'm still waiting!"

The council has retaliated, asking for people to 'look for another bin nearby' or 'take their litter home with them'.

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Cllr Lin Fairbrass, deputy leader and cabinet member for environmental services, said: "Every year our teams process thousands of tonnes worth of rubbish.

Dumpton Gap bin. Pic: Derek Ives

"Last year our street cleansing crews picked up over 5,000 tonnes of waste and this level has increased as more people visit Thanet.

"We have already collected nearly 100 tonnes more rubbish this year than at this time last year, despite receiving no extra budgetary resources.

"Although the summer season is coming to an end, the area remains busy.

"Last weekend saw out teams allocated to removing the waste collected by more than 100 volunteers who helped clean up Thanet's beaches as part of the nationwide Great British Beach Clean.

"We empty bins every day and more frequently during the peak summer season.

"Outside of the summer season we simply do not have the resources to increase normal service.

The council is asking people to find another bin or take their waste home. Pic: Geoff Hickie

"However, we can all play a role in keeping Thanet the clean and welcoming environment we all want to see.

"There are nearly 4000 waste bins (including dog bins) in Thanet and we encourage members of the public to look for another bin nearby if the closest to them is overly full, or to take their litter home with them.

"Bagged dog waste can also be added to any public litter bin.

"We are always reviewing our resources to ensure that we fulfil the street cleaning requirements across Thanet and, as part of this, have added extra, larger, capacity bins along the coastline.

"The council is also investing in 'smart' bins that send an alert via satellite when they need emptying meaning that we can address those areas where we need to focus most attention.

"This functionality will be trialled in Broadstairs in late October."

In August, plans were announced to fit bins with new 'smart' sensors, which will 'make the service more efficient - not only preventing bins at busier locations from over-flowing , but also eliminating unnecessary trips to quieter locations'.

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