A RUBBISH collection team has had to make changes to its service due to a steep rise in the number of staff members who are self-isolating.

Redcar and Cleveland Council says 21 members of staff from its waste and recycling team have been told to self-isolate this week – in addition to others who were already isolating.

These include a high number of trained drivers who cannot safely be replaced by other staff, the council said.

It means garden waste collections and bulky waste collections will be temporarily suspended.

However, bulky waste collections which have already been booked for this week will be collected at the weekend.

Residents who have made bookings for Tuesday, July 20 or later will be contacted directly and refunds arranged.

Dunsdale Recycling Centre will continue to operate, though it will have a reduced number of slots available to book.

These alterations will ensure that household waste and blue bin recycling collections continue as normal for all residents.

The council will keep the situation under daily review and will reintroduce services as soon as it can safely do so.

Councillor Julie Craig, cabinet member for highways, neighbourhoods and transport, apologised to residents affected by the changes.

She said: "There are a very small number of positive cases among council staff, but a very high number who are now self-isolating. When any one staff member confirms contact with someone who has tested positive, it inevitably has a knock-on effect on their crew mates.

“These isolations include a high number of specially-trained drivers, for whom a substitute cannot easily be found. It is this temporary lack of specialist staff that means safe operation at full capacity is not possible.

“We are acutely aware that this is not ideal for our residents, particularly in summer when people are having clear outs and enjoying their gardens, and we have done our level best to avoid suspending any of our services. However, the present - and very sudden - number of Covid isolations is unprecedented and we have no choice but to take this action to maintain our household waste and recycling collections.

“We would like to sincerely apologise to residents for the changes we have had to make and for any household or blue bin collections that have not already taken place when they should. Those collections are being worked through today."

She added: "Please be assured that we are keeping these temporary suspensions under close review and will reinstate a full service the very moment it becomes possible to do so.”

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