I am very disappointed that the national shortage of drivers is affecting constituents within Weybridge who have now had their garden waste collections suspended. Residents living in Weybridge need these services restart as soon as possible, and with autumn now round the corner, garden waste will only be increasing.
In response to constituent concerns, last week I met with representatives of Elmbridge Borough Council, and Joint Waste Solutions to understand how the shortage of HGV drivers has affected garden waste collections in Weybridge and the planning and contingency measures in place to ensure waste and recycling collections are protected and garden waste collections can resume as soon as possible.
While this situation continues, I have requested that action to mitigate the impact is brought forward such as requesting Surrey County Council opening local recycling centres for longer and for Joint Waste Solutions to create sites for individuals to bring their garden waste to be processed.
As this is an additional, paid for service, Elmbridge Borough Council have extended green garden waste contracts for a few months to compensate customers for the disruption to service. But a credit note is not the same as a refund and I’m pleased that they have also decided to offer these for people who wish to claim their payments back.
Due to a different operational model, constituents in Runnymede are not affected and I am pleased their collections will continue. I have requested that Elmbridge Borough Council seek advice from Runnymede on how to resume garden waste collections as quickly as possible which they have confirmed they are doing.
On a national level, I have already written to the Secretary of State for Transport, The Rt Hon Grant Shapps, regarding what steps the Government is taking at a national level to address the shortage of HGV drivers and I will continue to press the issue with the Government.
