Bin collection changes to keep Hartlepool services running - schools even offer minibuses to help refuse teams

Additional vehicles are being used to transport staff behind bin wagons, with a number of local authority workers temporarily re-deployed from other jobs to drive the vehicles.

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Hartlepool Borough Council has hired 11 vehicles which meet social distancing requirements, to cover the 11 daily Tuesday-Friday refuse collection rounds and these will begin operating from April 1.

The alternative arrangements aim to protect refuse collection staff from coronavirus and follow government rules on social distancing.

This comes as social distancing is not possible if all staff travel together – as is usual – in a single bin wagon.

Tony Hanson, assistant director for environment and neighbourhood services at the council, said they are committed to carrying out services and protecting staff.

He said: “We have an on-going commitment to ensuring that all local authority staff are able to carry out their jobs safely.

“I would like to thank all staff, including those re-deployed to drive the additional vehicles, for their hard work and commitment to maintaining this vital frontline service.”

Local schools – High Tunstall, English Martyrs and St Hild’s – have also been supportive to the council by offering the use of minibuses to carry out the work, although council officers said this was not needed in the end.

However they thanked the schools for the offer and highlighted the support shown.

Mr Hanson said: “It is also important that we acknowledge the offer of support from schools.

“Although we ultimately didn’t need to use their vehicles, it was reassuring to know that we had the option should we have needed it.”

Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, council chiefs have already announced garden waste collections will remain suspended, and not commence this month as planned.

They have also halted the bulky waste collection service, and the household waste recycling centre on Burn Road is closed until further notice.

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