Bin lorries are struggling to get down streets because so many cars are parked up outside houses in Milton Keynes.

As rubbish reaches record volumes due to the coronavirus crisis , crews are finding themselves struggling.
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Because unprecendented numbers of people are home, every parking space is suddenly full.

On many narrow estate roads in MK, this means it is difficult, if not impossible, for the refuse collection lorries to squeeze through.

MK Council has today published a photo of a Serco lorry mounting the pavement to get down one city street.

Bin lorries are having to mount the pavementsBin lorries are having to mount the pavements
Bin lorries are having to mount the pavements

A spokesman said: "Please park sensibly. Our bins crews need enough space to collect your waste and recycling."

Some rubbish collection rounds have not been completed on time this week due to the volume of waste and the access problems. In Newport Pagnell, where collections takes place on Mondays, Serco contractors had to go back to finish their rounds the following day.

A MK Council spokesman said on Monday: "We may not have collected your food and garden waste in Newport Pagnell today due to high volumes on our rounds. If we've not collected yours today, please present your bin as usual tomorrow - we'll be out first thing to collect it."

Many members of the public were sympathetic to Serco's plight.

There are record volumes of rubbishThere are record volumes of rubbish
There are record volumes of rubbish

"Hats off to them," said one. " Not only the volume has gone up but now have to deal with 90 per cent of cars being at home blocking roads. Keep up the good work."

Others blamed the access problems on the council's bad planning though.

"The council should change its policy on number of parking spaces per property when it's building new houses. They allowed these estates to be built with tiny road networks and minimal off road parking," said one critic.

On Saturday the council announced it would be suspending green bin collections from the end of this week due to the number of staff employed by contractors Serco who are off sick or self-isolating.

People are asked to compost food and garden waste where possible and put any non compostable waste into black bags.

The move protects the weekly collection of black and clear recycling sacks, said a spokesman.

He added: "We're doing everything we can to continue to provide essential services in these extreme circumstances and we thank you for continuing to support our crews as frontline key workers."

Meanwhile all household waste centre (tips) in Milton Keynes were closed last week due to coronavirus risks.