'Rogue' Biffa bin that was public health hazard removed

The bin, allegedly in use before Gala Bingo closed in 2020, was finally emptied from Taylor Hill Car Park this week after constant lobbying from a city councillor.

The issue was first raised to the business refuse disposal company Biffa by Cllr Hannah Cooper in April.

There are claims that the bin has been left since 2020. (Image: Hannah Cooper) But she said Biffa continually failed to remove the bin which led her to report it several times across the past five months.

"The rogue bin was a public health hazard," she said.

"It's disappointing that I had to contact Biffa so many times to remove it, but I'm pleased it's finally gone.

NEED FOR CHANGE: Hannah Cooper in Taylor Hill Cart Park. (Image: Hannah Cooper) "The bin - which seems to have dated back to when the bingo hall on Foregate Street adjoining the car park was still in operation - was finally collected this week."

The large red bin had been overflowing and had several black bin bags dumped around it.

It had also been vandalised with graffiti. 

DISAPPOINTED: Hannah Cooper in Taylor Hill Cart Park. (Image: Hannah Cooper) Cllr Cooper said the state of the car park has been a concern for some time, and the bin is one of many things she has been trying to clear up.

She said the car park has become a hotspot for people to dump their household waste rather than taking it to a nearby tip.

"The car park on the edge of the city centre has increasingly become a dumping ground for fly-tipped rubbish and is in an unacceptable state," she added.

Tayor’s Lane car park is privately run.

A spokesperson for Biffa said: "We successfully collected the bin from Taylors Lane car park following confirmation of its exact location and size and verifying that it was not an active customer bin.

"Ensuring these details allowed us to proceed with the collection efficiently and avoid any disruption to ongoing services."