Missing bin code leads to waste pile up at flats in Leamington

People who live in flats in Frances Havergal Close, Leamington, are also angry because they said that without warning or consultation their weekly bin collection became fortnightly two months ago.

And they said despite emails, online complaint forms and calls to Warwick District Council, the problem was not resolved until there was a bin collection – the same day the Courier raised the matter with the council. Scott Peters, who has lived in one of the blocks since 2010, said: “There was rubbish piled up and the area had become an attraction for flies, wasps and vermin.

“The other day it was hard to get at the bin because of the wasps and flies. I could smell it from a good 20 feet away.”

He shares his flat with girlfriend Lucy Edwards, who had phoned the council, and Mr Peters said she was told the council “had no record” of their complaints.

A council spokeswoman said its contractors were unable to get at the bin store because a new management company had changed the lock combination and it was not given notification until September 11, adding: “The crews have used this code on the normal weekly collection day and cleared all household waste from these bin stores.”

But Mr Peters said he would be “very surprised” that the council did not get the new code at the same time as residents: “This was put in place by a professional company.”

He added: “Between 12 to 16 flats share the communal bin and fortnightly collections are not enough. You can’t put the lid down because there’s so much in it.”