CHANGES to bin collections in Rossendale are set to be introduced next month, it has been announced.

The new collection routes, referred to as Area Based Working, will see all refuse wagons in the same area on the same day, with recycling wagons on the alternating week.

Roughly, the bins will be taken in Bacup and Whitworth on Tuesdays, Stacksteads, Waterfoot and some of Rawtenstall on Wednesdays, the other part of Rawtenstall and Edenfield on Thursdays and Haslingden, Helmshore and Rising Bridge on Fridays.

The council is changing the routes from October 7 in order to make the service more efficient and reliable. Head of Operations, Joe Kennedy, said: “The implementation of Area Based Working will allow us to focus our resources and optimise performance.

“The change will also allow council officers to better identify and promote education opportunities in an effort to increase recycling and minimise waste.

“The new collection routes have been designed to ensure the council provides a service that is efficient and cost effective.”

A Rossendale Council spokeswoman said: “While we have tried to reduce the level of impact the changeover will have on residents, there are some places that may have to wait slightly longer for collection as a result of the changes.

“Additional support has been identified for these areas, and for vulnerable residents during the mobilisation period.

“To help keep residents informed of the change and explain any changes or questions they may have on this change to new routes we will be doing a live social media Q and A session on Thursday, October 2 from 10am to noon on our Twitter and Facebook accounts.”

New bin collection calendars are in the process of being delivered to all residents along with stickers for bins.

If any residents have not received details of the new route Friday, October 3, it can be downloaded from www.rossendale.gov.uk/ waste, or by calling the Operations Team on 01706 878660, or emailing refuse@rossendalebc.gov.uk