Gritting, refuse and recycling update

(Date of issue: Tuesday, 5 January 2010)

Front line Carlisle City Council staff have been diverted from their normal duties and are clearing pavements with shovels, blowers and brushes today.

In an effort to conserve gritting salt, front line employees are putting every effort into clearing problem areas. Pavements which are on slopes, or that are close by to vulnerable residents including elderly and disabled householders are the main priority.

More than 30 tonnes of salt has also been used to grit pavements and replenish salt bins but is now being restricted.

Gritting will also continue on the main bus routes within the city, on behalf of Cumbria County Council, but may be restricted to preserve gritting stocks.

Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

"We are endeavouring to do as much as we can to support those residents most in need of our help. We’ve diverted front line staff such as our area maintenance, green spaces and highways staff to help clear the pavements using what ever means they can.

"We also ask residents to check on elderly or disabled neighbours who cannot get out because of the weather to make sure they are managing to look after themselves properly during this cold period."

Due to the icy conditions, refuse and recycling services have also been affected in Carlisle.

The collection of garden waste has been suspended from today onwards and will resume again in February, weather permitting. This is to concentrate efforts on collecting refuse as quickly as possible. Residents are advised to check their recycling calendars and put their green waste bin out for collection from their next February collection date.

Every effort will be made to collect any missed refuse collections. Residents are advised to leave these out and we’ll collect them as soon as we can. Residents, whose greenboxes or plastic and cardboard bags have not been emptied because of the adverse road conditions, are being asked to put them out on their next scheduled collection day (check recycling calendar for details). Any extra recycling should be bagged and put out for collection by the appropriate container.