Some households in the Bushmead area of Luton have been shocked to discover that their food waste is to be collected fortnightly, even though many of their neighbours will continue to receive weekly bin collections.

Part of Bushmead is in Luton Borough Council while part comes under South Bedfordshire District. Luton Liberal Democrats have already pledged to push for a change in this anomaly at the next boundary review. However a recent decision by the Conservative controlled South Bedfordshire Council has highlighted the pitfalls of the situation.

Last September South Bedfordshire decided to cut collections of general household waste by a half. This means that if you live on the South Bedfordshire side of the boundary food waste could be left rotting in wheelie bins for up to two weeks before being collected. Meanwhile those residents living on the Luton side of the boundary will continue to receive weekly collections.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for the area Martin Pantling said,

“I have a lot of sympathy for the residents on the South Bedfordshire side of the boundary. Despite paying around £300 a year more in Council Tax than the Luton households they are seeing vital services such as these cut. Local authorities are also coming under increasing pressure from the Labour government to switch to fortnightly collection of food and other residual waste. I am very concerned that this could pose a major health risk.”

In the run up to crucial local elections in May Liberal Democrats in Luton have pledged to maintain weekly food waste collections if re-elected.

If you are concerned about the potential impact of fortnightly food waste collection then please sign our online petition below.