Lastest on LDC waste collections

I've just got this news from Andy Bryce, the District Council's Head of Waste and Recycling Services. I think they're doing a tremendous job in the circumstances, and they've done well to get a full turnout of staff today. I managed to get about 100 yards this morning before twisting my knee on ice. I hope all the staff manage to complete the day safely, and have a good christmas.

There's additional news on weather disruption at http://www.lewes.gov.uk/16221.asp and the Christmas collection schedules at http://www.lewes.gov.uk/news/16170.asp

I am writing to let you know the progress on refuse and recycling
collections provided by Lewes District Council.

We have experienced considerable problems this morning (Wednesday the
23rd of December) on what is already a very difficult week. Early in the
morning when the crews were starting there were a significant number of
road closures (including the A27 in parts).

All of our collection staff have made it into work and all of our crews
have been sent out and are working, however:

The northern part of the District especially the rural areas, but also
Lewes town itself, have been extremely difficult with black ice and ice
under foot. We have delayed collections in those areas and concentrated
along the coast whilst the day warms up.

We have just started diverting refuse and kerbside crews up into the
rural areas (around 10:00 am). In kerbside. We will also be slow to
collect from Piddinghoe, Rodmell, Southease and Northease but have tried
to make a start.

We will be concentrating on catching up on all of the areas both this
afternoon and tomorrow; this, of course, is somewhat weather dependent
but we are aiming to get to the worst areas in the latter part of the
day.

The Bring Sites are generally being collected but certain sites are too
dangerous e.g., the car park in Ditchling that has a steep slope.
There have been a lot of logistical changes to deal with the situation
and circumstances that we are facing.

There will be delays and residents will not necessarily be collected at
the time they may normally expect but we are aiming to and still believe
we can finish the week's work at this point.

We are very sorry if there are some collections we are unable to make,
we ask that residents do leave their waste out for us (remembering that
we are asking for rubbish to be put out one day early and kerbside to go
out on the normal day according to your calendars). The Council's
web-site and District Link have details.

If waste has not been collected by 3:00 pm on Christmas Eve we will not
be able to get to those (hopefully very few) residents until after
Christmas.

We are very sorry for any inconvenience that anybody has been caused.