REDCAR and Cleveland residents are to have their garden bins emptied in the next two weekends.

Garden waste collections in Redcar and Cleveland were paused as the council balanced a reduced workforce due to staff members, including those trained to drive bin wagons, self-isolating from Covid-19.

As a result, the council prioritised general waste and recycling.

Some refuse workers have agreed to work extra shifts, meaning each household in the borough will receive a collection on a specified date during next two weekends, starting on Saturday, May 23.

The council will then establish a timetable with their refuse workers for regular garden waste collection.

Councillor Barry Hunt, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and environment at the council, said: “Our refuse team have had to really pull out all the stops to achieve these collections because we’ve had such a shortage of drivers. I’m really proud of the crew who have agreed to do extra shifts at the weekends to ensure this happens.

“We also know this has been an adjustment for our residents, and we would like to thank them for being so patient and understanding during this time.

“We’re asking for bins to be out on the kerb by 7am to be brought back in at 7pm. Our drivers have a lot of houses to cover in a day, so they won’t be able to return to get a missed bin.

“Our refuse crews have been fantastic during this pandemic. They are a great team, so please, if you see them, give them a warm welcome.”

Dunsdale Household Waste and Recycling Centre is now open and accepts garden waste.

Details and the two-week rota can be found on the council's website.