REFUSE collections in Harlow were abandoned on Friday on safety grounds.

Collections that should have been made on Friday started on Monday with Harlow Council attempting to catch up during this week. Anything not collected by this Friday will be collected on Saturday.

No paper collections are being made this week so that extra staff can help with the refuse collections. Residents are still asked to put their rubbish out on the normal day.

Harlow Council's executive director for environment Kevin Madden said: "I'm sure everyone will agree that it's too dangerous to collect refuse in these weather conditions.

"Although we are sorry for the inconvenience, a short delay in rubbish collection is preferable to refuse trucks sliding on ice into people's cars.

"We ask that people are patient and we will resume normal service as soon an as the weather allows."

January 31, 2003 13:00