Waiting to be dumped

BULKY goods dumped illegally are cleared up faster than those waiting to be collected by honest residents, it has been claimed.

Householders paying �25 to use Brent Council's controversial bulky collection may face a wait of more than a week while illegally dumped items are picked up in less than 48 hours.

The discrepancy came to light after Cllr Lesley Jones was told her mattress would not be collected from her home in Hamilton Road, Dollis Hill, for 12 days after she paid for the service.

However, she claims she was told her mattress would have been picked up in just two days if it had been dumped on the street.

She said: "They told me the collections only happen on a certain day in parts of the borough so if you call after it has taken place where you live you have to wait for another date.

"But they will go to any part of the borough if the item has been dumped.

"This may encourage people to dump their items or even worse it may encourage people to dump their items in your garden if you already have goods waiting to be collected there.

"This scheme is just encouraging people to dump their unwanted pieces of furniture."

The scheme has attracted huge criticism since the current Lib-Dem/Tory administration introduced it in July 2007.

Whereas, householders were previously entitled to free collections of up to five goods thrice a year, residents are now charged �25 each time.

Opponents of the scheme claim by charging residents it encourages people to dump unwanted goods.

In addition, dumped goods are not recyclable as they have to be classed as contaminated.

Ashley Walton, from Neasden, slammed the scheme saying it discourages residents from being honest.

He said: "This situation is ridiculous.

"When people are abiding by the law of Brent Council they are �25 out of pocket but when you break the law and dump something you're quids in.

"If you want to get rid of something from your house you're better off chucking outside your front door and calling the council saying someone dumped it."

A Brent Council spokeswoman said Cllr Jones' mattress would be picked up as the Times went to press.

She added: "Brent is divided into four collection zones and bulk waste is collected one day a week, between Monday to Thursday, from one of these zones.

"The longest anyone should wait for a large item of waste to be collected is seven days.

"Brent tries to collect fly tipped rubbish within 24 hours of it being reported.

"Fly tipping is illegal and could lead to a fine."

l Have you had to face a wait of more than a week to get your bulky goods collected?

If so call the news team on 020 7433 6237 or email sofia.mitra-thakur@archant. co.uk