'No quick fix' as driver shortage affects bin collections - and people urged to come out of retirement
People are being asked to come out of retirement to help collect Somerset's bins, following a national shortage of drivers.
It's causing some collections to be re-arranged.
The Somerset Waste Partnership says it is 'working hard with its contractor SUEZ to address the problems. However, there is no quick fix and continued disruption is likely in the near future'.
Recycling collections have been affected in and around Bridgwater, Castle Cary, Wincanton, Bruton, Stogursey, Holford, Stringston, East Quantoxhead, Kilve, Brompton Ralph, Taunton, Norton Fitzwarren and Cheddon Fitzpaine.
A spokesperson for the partnership said: "The well-documented long-term shortage of LGV drivers nationally has been worsened by Covid-19 delays to training and testing, and EU drivers leaving the UK, as has the demand coming from the recent reopening of non-essential retail.
"The national driver shortfall is estimated at 70,000 and has been described by the Road Haulage Association as being of “catastrophic proportions”.
"Qualified HGV drivers, including anyone recently retired, are urged to consider driver and crew vacancies in Bridgwater, Evercreech, Taunton, Williton and Yeovil."
For more about the vacancies click here
For more about the Somerset Waste Partnership click here