Extra waste collection trial

COUNCILLORS have approved an additional trial for fortnightly waste collection in the district.

Members backed a motion to run a second pilot scheme in Bottisham, Lode and the surrounding area at a full meeting of East Cambridgeshire District Council on Tuesday.

The trial will follow an identical scheme in Witchford, where villagers recycled 77 per cent of their waste over the summer.

Under the fortnightly scheme, normal rubbish is collected in black bags one week, while villagers put out a bag for garden and food waste, and a black box for bottles, cans and paper, the following week.

But some members feared that Witchford does not represent East Cambridgeshire as a whole because of its proximity to the Grunty Fen Landfill site, and it was thought that villagers have been taking household waste to the site at weekends.

This, along with concerns that Witchford residents were unhappy about the scheme, has prompted a second trial.

Before the second trial of alternate week collections begins in February 2007, officers from environmental services will be meeting with residents, businesses and schools to explain the scheme.

There will be public exhibitions, visits from the recycle bus and other opportunities for residents to ask any questions they may have.

Cecilia Tredget, deputy chief executive at the district council, said: "With the new waste contract for the district estimated to be worth £20 million over 11 years, our members felt it would be inappropriate to commit to spending this amount of tax payer's money without a second trial.

"Bottisham and Lode have been chosen for the trial following discussions with councillors and the relevant parish councillors as an ideal site for the scheme."

n What do you think? Are you a Bottisham resident? How do you feel about the new trial? Let us know at the Ely Standard, 38 Market Street, Ely, CB7 4LS, or by e-mail at debbie.davies@archant.co.uk