Does anyone know if this is true about the bins at New Street?

[VItraveller]

I heard from a member of staff a couple of days ago that all the bins have been removed from New Street by the British transport police due to something in one of them setting on fire, and that the station is no longer allowed to have bins anymore.
Is this correct?

 

[flitwickbeds]

Surely it's more likely to be related to the ongoing industrial action by refuse collectors?

 

[Harpo]

BTP advise on current security risks and concerns but a station’s operator would make the decision to remove the bins. I’d be surprised if any local authorities were station waste disposal contractors.

 

[flitwickbeds]

BTP advise on current security risks and concerns but a station’s operator would make the decision to remove the bins. I’d be surprised if any local authorities were station waste disposal contractors.

No, but presumably the private and public collections all end up in the same landfill.

 

[mrcheek]

I suppose its possible that even though station staff would empty the bins themselves, the refuse they collect would eventually be collected by the binmen who are on strike. So it may be to do with that.

Of course, older readers will remember in the mid 90s when virtually all station bins across the country were removed due to perceived security risks

 

[EyeKay]

I could imagine that with the bin strike, some people may be desperate and fill the station bins with domestic refuse.

 

[sjoh]

I would assume that a station like New Street would have its waste collected by commercial contractors such as Biffa or Veolia rather than the local authority, no?

 

[Bletchleyite]

There haven't been bins at New St for ages that I recall, possibly way back into BR days. Occasionally a contractor's trolley is left in a strategic place so rubbish can be put in that.

 

[Cantab26]

There haven't been bins at New St for ages that I recall, possibly way back into BR days. Occasionally a contractor's trolley is left in a strategic place so rubbish can be put in that.

The bins were removed from the main concourse recently following a routine refresh of the station risk assessment.

Waste is collected privately, not by the local authority.

 

[MalaiseForever]

Waste at BNS is collected by Mitie. However, we are rolling out a new automated recycling facility at the Station this year.

 

[The Planner]

Waste at BNS is collected by Mitie. However, we are rolling out a new automated recycling facility at the Station this year.

You'll catch a few using BNS as an acronym...

 

[skyhigh]

Waste at BNS is collected by Mitie. However, we are rolling out a new automated recycling facility at the Station this year.

They may supply the cleaning staff, but I'd be very surprised if they collect the bins. That's not their normal business area and not how it works with at least one other Network Rail managed station.

 

[MalaiseForever]

They may supply the cleaning staff, but I'd be very surprised if they collect the bins. That's not their normal business area and not how it works with at least one other Network Rail managed station.

Ok, well I must be making it up then!