Playing On 'Disability' Status...

A disabled Darwen family are disgusted that their wheelie bin hasn’t been collected for a month.

SHOCK!

Brian Peel, 44, who wears two hearing aids and is short-sighted, said his bin had been out in the alleyway awaiting collection from Blackburn Road since the end of last month.

He said: “I don’t know why it hasn’t been emptied. I put it out in the alleyway at the back of my house but it hasn’t been moved.

“I pay my council tax and they should move it.

“I pay for the service and I expect to get what I pay for. The alleyway is a dead end and we’re near the end. My neighbours’ bins have been collected so I don’t know why we’re being overlooked.”

Commenters are quick to point out that, since Mr Peel doesn’t work (thanks to his ‘disability’, one presumes), he doesn’t actually pay for the service.

But what other disabilities are involved?

Mr Peel, lives with mum Lillian, 69, who suffers from a breathing problem known as COPD and finds it difficult to walk, and dad Tom, 75, who has had a stroke and needs kidney dialysis at Burnley Hospital three times a week. Mr Peel said he had complained numerous times to Blackburn with Darwen Council.

But the council aren’t taking it lying down:

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for environment, Councillor Jim Smith said: “I am very sorry that Mr Peel’s bin was not collected.

“However, I must stress that residents must have their waste bins outside their property by 7am or there is a possibility that it will not be collected, as like in this case.

“However, if someone is physically unable to get their bin to the foot of the property, assistance is available upon request.

“Mr Peel’s bin, however, will be emptied at the next possible time.”

Now, I can see why Lillian & Tom might struggle to push a heavy full bin, but hearing loss and short-sightedness shouldn’t prevent Brian doing so, surely?

Unless he considers it ‘work’ of course…