A MAN is angry at a council s refuse collecting, claiming skips were continually placed in disabled parking spaces and access blocked by stacking rubbish bags across pavements. Tom Hulley of Vallansgate in Stevenage took these pictures after becoming in

A MAN is angry at a council's refuse collecting, claiming skips were continually placed in disabled parking spaces and access blocked by stacking rubbish bags across pavements.

Tom Hulley of Vallansgate in Stevenage took these pictures after becoming increasingly fed up with the borough council's attitude towards disabled people.

He said: "I am not disabled myself but this is ridiculous. The council blocks access to parking spaces and piles up rubbish bags on the pavement before collection sometimes for up to an hour. I have spoken to the council but they don't seem to understand."

The council's environmental campaigns manager Dave White said: "Our crews gather bags and bins together before the collection vehicles arrive because this helps to make collections faster and therefore reduces the cost of running the service.

"In some parts of the town there are problems with access for the vehicles so there is no alternative but to bring the materials for collection together.

However, crews are told not to block footpaths and disabled parking spaces.

"These instructions weren't followed in this case and we are sorry.

"Staff have been reminded to keep bags and bins away from footpaths and disabled parking spaces.

"We have no previous records of Mr Hulley bringing this to our attention.

"We do ask people to telephone 01438 242242 if they have problems with waste collection services, that way we can take action straight away.