SOME bin collections will be delayed after normal working had to be suspended due to the icy conditions.
Council workers were told not to collect rubbish on Monday (January 5) for health and safety reasons, with a decision to be made the following morning over whether the collections could resume.
Collection rounds in the following areas, which were due to have been completed on Monday, will instead be carried out on Saturday or earlier if possible: Lache, Boughton, Hoole Lane/Pipers Ash, College ward, Durham Road/Saughall Road, Newtown, Waverton, Threapwood, Cuddington, Hampton, south of Malpas, Bickley, Huxley, Hargarve, Duddon, Tattenhall, Beeston, Stapleford, Tiverton and Oscroft.
The decision to suspend collections came after a bin lorry skidded into a ditch in Huxley on Monday morning. Fortunately no one was hurt.
However, the accident – together with the difficult conditions under foot – made it unsafe for staff to carry refuse sacks and bags of glass along footpaths to the kerbside.
Council spokesman Mike McGivern said: “We have monitored the effect on our operations since 7am today (Monday) and the situation has not improved sufficiently to complete all rounds safely today.
“The decision is based on the health and safety concerns for the public and our workforce. Cheshire County Council will continue to treat all trunk and main roads as the priority for gritting, with minor and side roads as a lower priority.”
Mr McGivern said on Monday it was hoped to carry out the postponed work on Saturday – or earlier if resources and weather conditions allow – with a plan to keep to the normal collection schedule for the remainder of the week.
The spokesman asked residents to put out their rubbish out on the usual days but warned that other collections may be affected if the freeze continues.
He added: “The forecast for tonight is -6 Celsius. We will review the situation at 7.30am tomorrow (Tuesday) when a decision will be made about Tuesday collections.
“The city council apologises for any inconvenience, but we feel that the continued risks to staff and the public outweigh the temporary problems of suspending the service.”
