Bins back to normal after long strike

Bin collections in South Tyneside have returned to their regular schedule

Bin collections are finally expected to return to set days following the end of long-running strike action.

South Tyneside Council residents have been asked to put their bins put on their usual collection day as normal service resumes.

Crews have been dealing with a backlog since workers ended eight months of rolling strikes in July.

Councillor Ernest Gibson said residents will no longer "need to present their bins every day".

He added: "It is important to note that waste collection is such a huge operation and matters such as weather or vehicle issues can impact on day-to-day services.

"While there will be moments of disruption, we are as close to 'normal' as we have been since before industrial action started."

In South Tyneside, grey household bins and blue recycling bins are collected on alternative weeks.

The council's online bin calendar has been reinstated so residents can check which is the correct date.

GMB members had taken industrial action over the alleged bulling of workers and claims of mismanagement levelled against bosses.

The council said an action plan to improve services, agreed with the union, was "progressing well".