Binmen refuse to lift frail pensioner's rubbish over four-inch step

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Priscilla Thomas, 76, who is just 5ft, is expected to drag her wheelie bin out herself - but fears she is so frail she will lose control of it.

She said her rubbish had only been occasionally collected since September and was left to pile up outside her home.

She said: "It's bureaucracy gone out of control."

Priscilla Thomas: The six-stone pensioner has been snubbed by binmen

The problem got so bad that Mrs Thomas has resorted to taking the bags to the tip herself in the back of her car.

When she confronted the bin men to ask why her rubbish was not being removed, she was astounded to hear that the tiny step was deemed a health and safety hazard and they were not allowed to pull the bin down it.

Incensed that the refuse collectors were not deemed fit enough to lift the bin even though she was, Mrs Thomas registered for Brighton and Hove City Council's assisted collection service in the hope it would solve the problem.

But her bins are still not being taken, despite numerous calls to the council's refuse department.

She said: "I live on a hill and if I try to roll the bin out into the street for them to collect, it might overbalance and spill rubbish everywhere.

"Also, leaving it on the pavement creates an obstacle for pedestrians, especially those with pushchairs and wheelchairs and for blind people.

"I rang the council's refuse department again and again. They sympathised with me but still nothing was done.

"Last Tuesday, despite me leaving the bin right in front of my gate which I left open, the bins were not collected again.

"What more can I do?" Mrs Thomas said the situation has left her feeling as if she is banging her head against a brick wall.

She said: "My neighbour has the same type of step and his bin gets collected, so why doesn't mine?"

A council spokeswoman said: "We apologise for the problems that have unfortunately occurred with Mrs Thomas' refuse collection and the inconvenience this has caused her."

A council manager visited Mrs Thomas and assured her the problem would not be repeated.