WATCH: Football mad residents blow the whistle on council for not emptying their bins because of their England-inspired bunting

Football-mad residents gave Preston Council a yellow card when their bins were left full of waste, with binmen blaming World Cup inspired buntings draped across the street.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jun 2018, 16:11 BST
Updated 27th Jun 2018, 17:53 BST
Residents of Callon Street, Fishwick, Preston, forced to remove their England bunting by Preston Council. Photos by Neil Cross.Residents of Callon Street, Fishwick, Preston, forced to remove their England bunting by Preston Council. Photos by Neil Cross.
Residents of Callon Street, Fishwick, Preston, forced to remove their England bunting by Preston Council. Photos by Neil Cross.

Residents of Callon Street in Fishwick have decorated their road with St George’s flags and bunting, with lines of the bunting showing off the red and white flag going across the road from house to house.

On Monday residents were told that their usual black bin collection was not happening, with bin men saying the lorry couldn’t get down the road without spoiling their fun and catching the bunting.

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Ken Baines, 52, a resident of Callon Street for 20 years, said: “They came down two weeks ago for the recycling bins when it was up.

Residents of Callon Street, Fishwick, Preston, forced to remove their England bunting by Preston Council. Photos by Neil Cross.Residents of Callon Street, Fishwick, Preston, forced to remove their England bunting by Preston Council. Photos by Neil Cross.
Residents of Callon Street, Fishwick, Preston, forced to remove their England bunting by Preston Council. Photos by Neil Cross.

“Now they came again on Monday and got halfway up the street before they decided they couldn’t go any further because of the bunting.

“In this warm weather the black bins don’t exactly smell nice.

“They said they would not come back until it was taken down. So we have had to cut it. It was about 14ft high; the wagons are nowhere near that.”

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Neil Fairhurst, Interim Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Customer Services, said: “It’s great to see everyone getting behind England and cheering them on at the World Cup. However, we do still have services to provide – one being waste and recycling collections.

Ken Baines of Callon Street.Ken Baines of Callon Street.
Ken Baines of Callon Street.

“Earlier this week collections were delayed in one area where the residents had displayed flags and raised bunting.

"The crew didn’t want to ruin the bunting or drag it down with the wagon. Thanks to the residents, the bunting was removed whilst the crew returned to carry out collections.

“Now we just have to let the England team do their work on the pitch.”

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The bin wagons returned on Tuesday and the bunting is now back up ready for tonight’s match against Belgium.

Residents with the bunting.Residents with the bunting.
Residents with the bunting.

Ken will be working in his freezer packing job until 7pm tonight when England kick-off against Belgium.

He added: “As soon as I get my work finished there will be a party going on for sure!

“I’ll be rushing back.”

The semi finals are a good shout for England as far as Ken is concerned, who believes Gareth Southgate’s young England side “are a good side with no fear playing with some good confidence”.

Related topics:ResidentsFootballEngland