COUNCIL chiefs have ridden roughshod over public opinion, proudly boasting that Welwyn Hatfield’s chaotic new bin regime is “progressing well”.

Welwyn Hatfield Council made the assessment despite a storm of protest and complaints of uncollected waste littering streets across the borough.

On Wednesday last week 78 brown garden waste bins were left at the roadside as “teething problems” continued to bite.

But far from recognising the anger of residents, a press statement released on Monday by the authority was given the heading: “Changes to the new waste and recycling service progressing well.”

Essendon resident Paula Perryment fears the failure of the council to properly empty the bins could leave swathes of the borough infested with vermin.

She said: “My brown bin and recycling bin were due to be emptied according to the council collection card, on March 11 and again on March 25.

“They missed me out on the March 11 so I rang the council.

“No one came to empty the bins and I waited until March 25, still no one came and I called the council to be told that someone would be around in the next day or two.

“Guess what, the bins sat all weekend full of rotting food.”

She added: “On Saturday (March 26) I flagged down the recycling truck in Essendon and asked them if they could call in and empty my bins as it was smelling.

“They came and emptied the recycling bin and left the compost bin, which is full of rotting food and meat and has been like it for over a month.

“The next collection is April 8.”

Another resident said: “Had the council got the design of the service right in the first place in consultation with the residents, its contractor and other experts in waste management, we wouldn’t be having all these problems and complaints.”

But Bob Jewell, the council’s finance and operations director, had a more upbeat assessment of the scheme.

He said: “We’re really pleased with the response so far.

“We are grateful for the patience people have shown as both they and ourselves get used to the new arrangements.

“We are very impressed by the volume of recycling residents are putting out for collection.”