GARDEN waste collections in Somerset have been suspended for SIX weeks.

Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) announced the decision today (July 29) so staff can be redeployed to support rubbish and recycling collections.

This decision has been made due to the national driver shortage, and many other waste authorities in the UK have taken similar action.

All garden waste subscribers will automatically have their subscriptions extended by eight weeks. The extra two weeks will be in recognition of the disruption at a busy time of year.

SWP waste collections have been seriously disrupted in recent weeks as a result of limited staff due the national LGV driver shortage, Covid pressures and other local factors.

READ MORE: Somerset recycling collections disrupted 'through August'

Any missed recycling collections are currently not being completed until the following week’s collection day.

Sarah Dyke, chair of Somerset Waste Board, said: “This is not a decision that SWP has taken lightly and I know this will frustrate a lot of people.

“We, like many authorities, are in a really difficult and unprecedented situation with the national driver shortage and continued impact of Covid, in terms of more waste to collect and, more recently, self-isolation.

“The board is following the situation closely and will be making sure that SWP and its contractors are doing everything they can as soon as they can to get services back to where they should be.

“In the meantime, please bear with the crews who have been working flat out throughout the pandemic collecting the extra waste we have all been producing.”

The garden waste collections will continue as usual until tomorrow (July 30).

And the service will start again on Monday, September 13.

The temporary suspension also includes the garden waste sack collections.

Collections of garden waste sacks cannot be booked during the six weeks suspension.

But what should you do with your garden waste in the meantime?

SWP have offered the following advice:

  • Reduce: mow and prune less this summer.
  • Mulch: use grass cuttings as a layer over soil to retain moisture and reduce weeds
  • Compost: more on home composting, including a subsidised bin offer, here: somersetwaste.gov.uk/home-composting
  • Recycle sites: All 16 Somerset recycle sites take garden waste

SWP has also asked residents not to put garden waste into rubbish or recycling containers. They have also asked subscribers not to contact their district council.

More information can be found at somersetwaste.gov.uk/gardenwaste-suspension or you can call 01823 589900 (available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday).