WEEKLY bin collections will return ‘as soon as possible’, the leader of Windsor and Maidenhead Council has announced.

Councillor Andrew Johnson (Conservative: Hurley and Walthams), leader, said on social media weekly bin collections will return after an online petition was set up last week expressing fears the temporary fortnight collections would become permanent.

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The petition – which has accumulated nearly 5,000 signatures – was set up by former Royal Borough councillor Ed Wilson demanding weekly waste and recycling collections return post the coronavirus pandemic.

Bin pick-ups have been operating on alternate weeks since April due to staff shortages at Serco – the company that provides waste and recycling services across the borough – because of ill health or needing to self-isolate during the public health crisis.

Councillor Johnson said: “To confirm we will be going back to weekly bin collections as soon as possible. In the meantime, we recognise there have been issues with the interim service. We are having very frank and honest conversations with our waste contractors about the level of service we expect from them.”

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Since the fortnightly collections started, angry residents have taken to social media about missed pick-ups.

A spokesman for the council said they are aware and are working with Serco to reduce the missed collections – but only a small percentage of collections have been missed.