REFUSE collection may still be causing a headache for Hartford residents, but it appears the load will be lightened during the festive season.

Hartford Parish Council has been told there will be no change to the frequency of rubbish collections in the next two-and-a-half years, but Vale Royal Borough Council plans to conduct a weekly collection at Christmas to cope with excess rubbish.

Last month the parish council reviewed the controversial scheme, which was launched in April, and although councillors were in favour of the recycling collections, they had received complaints from residents about the fortnightly household waste collection.

A number of residents complained that rotting food is being kept in bins for up to two weeks, causing unpleasant smells and attracting vermin.

Residents have also complained about having to make additional trips to the tip in Northwich due to excess waste and were concerned about the level of rubbish likely to be generated at Christmas.

The council has written to the borough council asking for the frequency of the collection to be reassessed and for the possibility of doorstep plastic recycling to be considered.

At the meeting Clr Keith Musgrave, leader of the borough council and borough councillor for Hartford, told the parish council there would be no change in the frequency as the council had committed to a three-year contract.

He explained doorstep plastic recycling would be too expensive but said the council was increasing the number of plastic collection points in Northwich, Winsford and Frodsham.

However, he allayed residents' fears that the Christmas holidays were going to cause a huge backlog of rubbish.

He said: "It will revert to a weekly collection over Christmas for a couple of weeks to cater for the excess packaging and food waste."

gsproston@guardiangrp.co.uk