ACTION to protect waste and recycling bin collection rounds in the light of driver shortages has been taken by Pendle Council.

The council has recently lost three of its bin wagon drivers to the private sector and has had to temporarily reduce street cleaning in some places in order to deploy staff elsewhere.

Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, leader of the council, said Pendle had not been affected as severely as other areas in the country, but had still had to act after losing drivers.

He said: “We have been able to sustain most of our frontline services by deploying some of our supervisors and street cleansing drivers to drive refuse and recycling vehicles.

“Staff have stepped up to the plate by returning from leave to help keep the rounds going.

“I would like to say a big thank you to our hard working team of staff who are continuing to go the extra mile to keep the services going which are a top priority for local people.”

Street cleaning has been temporarily reduced so that the council can continue emptying bins for residents and businesses.

David Walker, environmental services manager said emptying bins was the number one priority.

"The team is facing another tough challenge. Colleagues are pulling together as they always do to overcome this challenge.

“If you’d like to join our friendly team, working for our community, we are currently advertising for another LGV bin wagon driver.”

Bin wagon driver Ben Rigby from Nelson, who’s worked as a driver for the Council for over 10 years said: “It’s friendly – we’re like a family and the managers are approachable.
“And I live just around the corner, so it’s very convenient for me!”
To find out more about jobs, visit: www.pendle.gov.uk