Milford pensioner Ernest Baxendale has ‘bin forgotten’ too many times by New Forest District Council refuse collectors

A 96-YEAR-OLD widower from Milford is at his wits’ end after New Forest District Council refuse collectors have failed to take his bins at least 12 times in the last year.

Ernest Baxendale, who lives in a bungalow on Lymington Road, says the non-collection of rubbish has been an ongoing battle for the last few years, but problems have significantly worsened recently.

“It has not been just a couple of occasions – this happens time after time,” he said. “The problem has been going on for years, but in the last year it has been much, much worse.

“When I contact NFDC they just say that a message will be passed on – but then it happens again.

“I’m so sick and tired of it now.”

As a former local government worker who then went on to a career at Unison, Ernest says he was always taught that the role of local government was to serve the people. He says he feels this is no longer the case.

“I was ringing up so often it became a bit of a joke to the district council,” he said. “But it’s not a joke to me.”

Ernest recalls that when the problems first started NFDC would send a van out later in the day to collect the waste after he reported it.

However, this no longer happens and Ernest is told a refuse lorry will collect his rubbish the following day.

Waste is usually picked up around 6.30am so Ernest puts it out the night before and often finds it uncollected when he gets up.

“You can’t just leave the rubbish out there because it will be ripped apart by animals and birds, so I have to go out and get it and bring it back in. It’s very frustrating.”

A spokesperson for NFDC said: ”We had already received contact from Mr Baxendale and have been to meet with him to better understand his individual circumstances. He has now signed up for our assisted collection service.”