Due to a lack of availability of licensed HGV drivers across the country at the moment, garden waste collections in Wirral – which are usually fortnightly – will be carried out monthly from this week as a temporary arrangement.

Wirral Council's waste management partner, Biffa, is reporting a shortage of qualified drivers due to staff either testing positive for COVID-19 or having to isolate due to close contact with someone who has tested positive.

There was some disruption to collections last week and Biffa had crews out over the weekend to catch up.

If your bin is still full from last week, please report this online as a missed collection by clicking or tapping here.

A reduction in the frequency of garden waste collections, at least for the next four weeks, is seen as a less-disruptive alternative to suspending the service altogether while the collections of green and grey bins are prioritised due to the staffing shortages.

The Council says it understands subscribers will be keen to get full value from their subscription, and once the full extent of the disruption has been reviewed, it will be in touch with subscribers with further details regarding the missed collections.

Subscribers should visit the council's website to find out when their new collection date will be by clicking or tapping here.