Plans to stop businesses from storing commercial waste bins in public areas in Paisley town centre have been welcomed by a charity that provides mobility equipment and accessibility support. Renfrewshire Council intends to "prohibit" the often bright and bulky containers from being left on streets and footpaths within a specific project boundary.
New Policy Details
Instead, traders will be expected to keep bins within the curtilage of their own property. The council hopes the initiative, which will be the subject of an engagement process, can improve the appearance, cleanliness, safety, and accessibility of the area. Shopmobility Renfrewshire believes the 'bins off street policy' will be beneficial for people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters, as well as those pushing prams.
Karen Miller, the charity's office manager and fundraising officer, said: "Too often we've had reports of our members having to risk life and limb going onto busy roads with mobility scooters or wheelchairs simply because someone has left these large commercial bins on the pavement, making it impossible for those using scooters and wheelchairs to get safely past them. This new policy covering Paisley town centre is a great idea and will make it safer not just for people using mobility equipment but also for others such as those using prams who struggle to get past these bins. Hopefully this policy is a success and it can then be rolled out all across Renfrewshire."
Draft Principles Discussed
The draft principles were discussed by elected members at Wednesday's infrastructure, land and environment policy board. The document explained: "The initiative will prohibit the storage of commercial waste containers on streets and footpaths within the boundaries of the map. This area largely follows the Paisley town centre business improvement district with minor amendments."
Businesses must place their waste on the public footpath for collection between the hours of 7am to 10am or 5pm to 8pm. If waste is not collected as scheduled, it must be taken back inside the premises and the business should contact its waste contractor to arrange collection. Waste must not be left on any street or footpath outside these windows. Where trade waste bins are repeatedly found on the street outside of the stated times, the council could take enforcement action.
Concerns and Assurances
Councillor James MacLaren, a Conservative representative for Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank, said at the meeting: "I welcome the thought process behind this item and it will be good to see cleaner, uncluttered streets in the town as at times certain parts can look quite disgusting. What does concern me is the idea of 'out of sight, out of mind'. I wouldn't like to see the rubbish being stored behind the businesses and for them just to let it become a mess and accessible by rats."
However, Gordon McNeil, the council's director of environment, housing and infrastructure, provided assurance an 'out of sight, out of mind' stance would not be allowed. He responded: "The report sets out around the duty of care which is the legislative requirement for businesses to be able to demonstrate that they're dealing with their waste effectively, so therefore as part of this process that would not be allowed to happen. We would require adequate waste arrangements to be put in place for every business, so there isn't accumulation and build up which could then cause wider public health issues. There won't be an out of sight, out of mind position in relation to that."
Implementation Timeline
It is anticipated the initiative would have a soft start in September, with enforcement measures for non-compliance rolled out in October. After the meeting, Councillor Kenny MacLaren, chair of Shopmobility Renfrewshire and an SNP representative for Paisley Northwest, said: "The plans by the council to explore ways to enhance the town centre experience, which is often impacted by the sight of bulky, brightly coloured trade waste containers lining the streets, lanes, and pavements will also have a benefit for people who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters and even those with prams."
