the dangers of maggot-ridden bins
Apparently they're not collecting garbage enough in Surrey.
Choice quotes:
"The flies and maggots present a health risk to our grandchildren."
"Double-wrapping rubbish in plastic bags does not promote bio-degrading of rubbish. I still have flies and maggots despite doing this."
Danger of maggot-ridden bins shrugged off
Sep 14 2006
A top civic figure has shrugged off the health dangers of maggot-ridden wheelie bins by claiming there is a health risk with "practically everything in life."
Mark Wilkinson, head of environmental health at Mole Valley District Council, has enraged residents with his comments, penned in a letter to a distressed bin owner.
The residents claim the letter is "patronising" and shows the council's "blind and blink-ered attitude".
Mr Wilkinson wrote to a North Holmwood resident, whose summer has been blighted by the maggots in her bin.
In the letter he ignores the views of hundreds of residents by claiming "only a very small number of people across the district have these problems".
He also attempts to play down the health risks created by the creepy crawlies.
Mr Wilkinson writes: "As far as health risks are concerned there is a health risk of some kind with practically everything in life.
"We do not live in a world where everything is safe by virtue of it being risk-free.
"We live in a world, and live our lives, where there are any number of reasonable risks. The risks from refuse bins fall into this category."
David Macklin, chairman of the Holmwood Lodge Residents' Association, is far from happy with the letter.
He said: "They have missed the point completely.
"It is totally patronising and shows the council's blind and blinkered attitude."
Mr Macklin, of The Orchard, is one of nearly 400 residents to support the Stop the Stink campaign, demanding the re-instatement of fortnightly household waste collections.
He admits the letter has almost driven him to consider a stronger form of protest.
He added: "In Sutton some people got so fed up they dumped their rubbish at the council offices.
"It is tempting but I don't think I would go that far. It seems like they favour a little more direct action over there."
Holmwood's Councillor Michael Howard says the residents are right to be angry about the letter.
He said: "I do not think the tone of the letter is very clever. It is sanctimonious."
Councillor Howard also believes civic chiefs need to reassess their policy on rubbish collection.
He added: "We need to look at this issue very seriously to see if anything can be done for the residents who are having problems."
Richard Waldon, of Chester Close, Dorking, told us: "The flies and maggots present a health risk to our grandchildren."
Caroline Rendall, of Whiteway, Bookham, said: "Double-wrapping rubbish in plastic bags does not promote bio-degrading of rubbish.
"I still have flies and maggots despite doing this."
Choice quotes:
"The flies and maggots present a health risk to our grandchildren."
"Double-wrapping rubbish in plastic bags does not promote bio-degrading of rubbish. I still have flies and maggots despite doing this."
Danger of maggot-ridden bins shrugged off
Sep 14 2006
A top civic figure has shrugged off the health dangers of maggot-ridden wheelie bins by claiming there is a health risk with "practically everything in life."
Mark Wilkinson, head of environmental health at Mole Valley District Council, has enraged residents with his comments, penned in a letter to a distressed bin owner.
The residents claim the letter is "patronising" and shows the council's "blind and blink-ered attitude".
Mr Wilkinson wrote to a North Holmwood resident, whose summer has been blighted by the maggots in her bin.
In the letter he ignores the views of hundreds of residents by claiming "only a very small number of people across the district have these problems".
He also attempts to play down the health risks created by the creepy crawlies.
Mr Wilkinson writes: "As far as health risks are concerned there is a health risk of some kind with practically everything in life.
"We do not live in a world where everything is safe by virtue of it being risk-free.
"We live in a world, and live our lives, where there are any number of reasonable risks. The risks from refuse bins fall into this category."
David Macklin, chairman of the Holmwood Lodge Residents' Association, is far from happy with the letter.
He said: "They have missed the point completely.
"It is totally patronising and shows the council's blind and blinkered attitude."
Mr Macklin, of The Orchard, is one of nearly 400 residents to support the Stop the Stink campaign, demanding the re-instatement of fortnightly household waste collections.
He admits the letter has almost driven him to consider a stronger form of protest.
He added: "In Sutton some people got so fed up they dumped their rubbish at the council offices.
"It is tempting but I don't think I would go that far. It seems like they favour a little more direct action over there."
Holmwood's Councillor Michael Howard says the residents are right to be angry about the letter.
He said: "I do not think the tone of the letter is very clever. It is sanctimonious."
Councillor Howard also believes civic chiefs need to reassess their policy on rubbish collection.
He added: "We need to look at this issue very seriously to see if anything can be done for the residents who are having problems."
Richard Waldon, of Chester Close, Dorking, told us: "The flies and maggots present a health risk to our grandchildren."
Caroline Rendall, of Whiteway, Bookham, said: "Double-wrapping rubbish in plastic bags does not promote bio-degrading of rubbish.
"I still have flies and maggots despite doing this."