HGV driver shortage hits bin collections in south Oxfordshire
A combination of reasons forces council to introduce weekend collections to catch up
Villages to the north of Reading could face disruption to their refuse collections due to a shortage of drivers.
South Oxfordshire District council say a combination of reasons has led to the situation including delays in new HGV driver tests, drivers switching jobs to take online delivery roles, and fewer drivers from overseas looking for jobs.
The council's contractor is offering overtime to existing drivers to work Saturdays and Sundays to catch up with any missed collections.
This is currently affecting a number of rounds in the districts where residents’ waste collections have been disrupted, and so the councils’ contractor is on a proactive recruitment drive to prevent it becoming a wider problem.
The councils’ waste contractor, Biffa, is currently managing the situation by providing staff the opportunity to work Saturdays and Sundays as overtime to catch up with missed collections, but this is not sustainable in the long term either financially or for the bin crews’ wellbeing. It also inconvenient for residents.
Cllr David Rouane, South Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for housing and the environment said:
“The past year has been tough on our waste collection crews, and they’re having to work extra hard at the moment due to the national shortage of HGV drivers. Over the past year, they’ve already had to contend with staff shortages due to the pandemic, and an increased workload with more people working from home and so many of us generating extra online delivery packaging.
“Please do be patient with them on the rare occasion they’re not able to get to you on your collection day and do please spread the word that we need HGV drivers to come forward and apply.”
Cllr Catherine Webber Vale of White Horse cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Environment said:
“There have been several reasons for this shortage including travel restrictions for foreign workers due to Covid-19 and Brexit. In addition, drivers have switched to other work. It also cannot be ignored that Oxfordshire is an expensive place to live and this may have deterred some people from moving to our area for work.
“We would kindly request our residents are patient with our bin crews who are currently working extra hard having already had a difficult year. It also offers an opportunity for us all to reduce our waste where possible, which will help everyone in the long term.”
How to apply
Contact details for people wishing to apply to Biffa 01865 409570 or email Francis.drew@biffa.co.uk or ben.twitchen@biffa.co.uk