CAMPAIGNERS have celebrated victory in a fight to keep their alleyway bin collections after fears they’d be scrapped.

Hundreds of households in Linthorpe received letters from Middlesbrough Council signalling the end of collections from their back streets – with the authority pointing to access concerns and tripping hazards.

But Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston confirmed there would be no change to waste collections in Linthorpe – and the letters had been sent in error.

He added: “People with back alleys in Linthorpe have received a confusing letter from the council recently – sorry, that was an error.

“I’ve been looking into it and a very keen to please council worker has been a bit too enthusiastic – sorry.”

Dozens of letters complaining against the move were sent to the mayor with worries how far some would have to travel to leave their household waste and concerns about rodents gathering.

Mr Preston said bin wagons had been damaging some of the alleys before explaining the mix up.

He added: “Attempting to put things right – but getting it wrong – we wrote to everyone saying that we would change the whole bin collection system.

“If you’ve received a letter from us about this please ignore it – we will continue as normal.

“We will look into how we can be sure to protect the alleys and collect the bins – but we definitely won’t change anything without talking with everyone.”

Linthorpe folk feared the changes would make putting bins out the front of Edwardian terraces difficult – with worries about the effect it could have on the area’s conservation area.

Cllr Philippa Storey, ward member for Linthorpe, dubbed the scrapping of alley collections “crazy” with concerns the vulnerable would be hit hardest.

She was “absolutely over the moon” with the decision to keep the collections.

Cllr Storey said: “We’re just waiting for the official letter to go out to residents.

“I’m really pleased – it’s the right decision to have another look at it all.”

Linthorpe campaigner Lee Walker helped set up a Facebook group to counter the possible loss of alley collections and rally support.

Mr Walker said: “It’s absolutely wonderful news – the Facebook group was really pleased last night and we’re pleased the mayor has intervened.

“We’re now looking forward to working with the council on improving the area – and it would be great if the group we’ve got is able to work on positive things for Linthorpe.”