Newcastle provides minibus to get bin crews working

Newcastle City Council has provided minibuses for its bin crews to be transported to their collection rounds so that social distancing guidelines can be met.

Unlike many other local authorities, Newcastle City Council’s dedicated bin crews have been delivering a full refuse service to residents including garden waste collection amid the coronavirus outbreak. To help protect its bin crews, the council implemented stringent social distancing and hygiene measures, including utilising 35 minibuses to ferry staff around and ensure social distancing rules can be met.

This has enabled bin crews a safe method of travel between different collection points as per government guidelines, whilst allowing bin collections to be collected on time in these extremely difficult circumstances.

Nick Kemp, cabinet member for Environment and Regulatory Services said “Whilst we are facing the most significant public health challenge of a lifetime, I am immensely proud that through collaboration across council services we have been able to be truly innovative and continue to deliver these core services for our residents whilst ensuring the health and safety, and wellbeing of our staff is a number one priority.

“We’ve been able to utilise staff and minibuses from our Special Education Needs and Disability team who are driving our crews around. This joint working approach has meant that we are able to continue, in these most unusual of times to deliver frontline services and protect our workers. These are very difficult times, and I’m incredibly proud of our Local Services and Waste team who continue to provide a full collection service to our residents, this is a true demonstration of public service and I applaud all council staff for the way they have stepped forward to continue council services. I ask the public if you see you service crews, shout out thanks and applaud these amazing people.”