Heavy snow sees Croydon bin collections disrupted

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

Bin collections in Croydon could be disrupted as lorries struggle to get around the borough in the snow.

The town hall warned that today’s weather was affecting rubbish and recyling collections in Kenley and Coulsdon.

The authority advised those whose bins were not empty to leave them out and said contractor Veolia would return “as soon as possible”.

Snow fell across London on Sunday night and caused disruption across the capital. Other boroughs, including Greenwich and Redbridge, suspended their rubbish collections.

The bad weather saw at least one school in Croydon close its doors.

Woodcote High School in Coulsdon tweeted: “Due to adverse weather and staff unable to travel safely, we will be delivering remote learning today via Microsoft Teams.”

Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, tweeted that the council’s gritting team was out overnight in a bid to make the roads safer.

Croydon council has eight gritters that are fitted with tracking systems meaning teams can divert to other ares that are in more urgent need, such as when there is a burst water pipe.

The council last month said its 578 salt bins were topped up and its salt barn stocked with 5,500 tonnes of salt.

The snow caused havoc on public transport and the roads. It saw 28 bus routes disrupted this morning.

Carl Eddleston, director for network management and resilience at TfL, said: “We have well-rehearsed plans and procedures in place in partnership with all London boroughs and the emergency services to keep the capital moving during any colder weather.”

(Picture: Croydon council)