A shortage of skilled drivers and the requirement to self-isolate due to Covid-19 has been blamed for rubbish refuse rates.

Various waste collection services are facing increased pressures in Kent with widespread disruption to weekly and fortnightly services.

In Dartford the ongoing impact of issues across the region is causing its "fair share of problems" locally, the council says.

This has been attributed to a shortage of skilled drivers and Covid-19 rules requiring bin crews to self-isolate when a member tests positive.

Earlier today, leader of Dartford council Jeremy Kite and Cllr Steve Brown, cabinet member for waste and environment, provided an update on the situation.

"You may have seen media reports that some councils have cut, withdrawn or halted some services altogether," they said together in a joint statement.

"We have taken practical steps to minimise the chance of that happening in Dartford but there’s no doubt that the crews continue to work under great pressure.

“There’s a national shortage of HGV drivers. Some say it’s a result of Brexit whilst others blame a surge of demand from the home delivery and transport sectors as the economy gets back on its feet.

The problem has been further compounded by the requirement for crews working in close proximity to self-isolate when necessary, they added.

Changes have been brought in for the training requirements of HGV drivers, as well as Covid-19 provisions.

But Dartford council says the health and wellbeing of its crew members will remain a priority.

"Our crews are full-time staff but when we are impacted by illness, self-isolation or vacancy it is almost impossible to secure agency or replacement staff," council members added.

“Whilst our services are operating better than many councils - and of course our scheduled waste service is one of the few to remain weekly - there’s no doubt that they are subject to delays."

The council added it was "particularly disappointing" because it says contractors, Urbaser, were achieving "extremely high levels of service" prior to this.

The same waste company, which is also behind bin collections in Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells, was fined last year after skipping up to 1,000 collections a day.

In June, it was announced the two councils had issued further fines to Urbaser and will continue to challenge bosses if services do not start to improve.

Meanwhile, in Dartford the council has warned green waste may be "hardest hit" as it will be focusing resources on household waste and recycling.

Analysis by KentOnline has this year shown that, of all Kent councils, it is people in Dartford who have to pay the most to sign up to the green service at £90 for the first year.

With regards to recent delays, the council explained: "We know that residents pay extra for this service and we’re sorry for the inconvenience it causes."

Not all local authorities are responding in the same way and some are suspending services, it added.

Earlier today, Maidstone council joined a growing list of local authorities reporting disruptions to garden waste collections county-wide.

Last week, Swale council, which represents Sheppey, Sittingbourne and Faversham, and Dover District Council suspended such services.

It comes after Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council also suspended garden waste collections for at least four weeks in late July to free up staff to ensure food waste, recycling, refuse and clinical waste collections continue.

But Dartford council insists it is well positioned financially to tackle the problems it faces.

"The crews work hard, do a difficult job and face huge challenges working in urban areas and should be properly rewarded," Cllr Kite and Cllr Brown said.

“The service is also working flexibly every day to maximise the resources and staff it has available."

But both councillors were disappointed to report abuse aimed at drivers, who they described as the "unsung heroes" of their communities.

"In one or two cases waste crews have been subjected to abuse and criticism as they go about their rounds," they said.

“Large parts of the country are tackling these same capacity issues and however frustrating the situation may be, the hard working men and women who collect waste are some of the often unsung heroes of our community.

“They are not among those of us returning to their workplace following the pandemic - they are among the host of keyworkers in health, retail, education, transport, utilities and a host of other professions who delivered for us every day. "

They added: “Dartford is a great community packed with generosity and goodwill and I know that you will join with me in thanking them for the difficult job they do.

“We’re sorry for the inconvenience that this current situation is causing but please be assured Dartford council is working hard to tackle it.”

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