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2.9 Connétable M.P.S. Le Troquer of St. Martin of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services regarding the use of domestic type wheelie bins at sites of special interest.
Would the Minister advise Members why domestic type wheelie bins have been positioned at sites of special interest such as those recently installed along St. Catherine's Promenade? What alternatives, if any, were available and does he consider that the style and location of such bins enhances the natural beauty of our coastline?
Deputy K.C. Lewis (The Minister for Transport and Technical Services):
For the last 2 years, the department had a planned replacement programme of all its old Octopus 50-litre bins around the coastal and beach areas. These bins have been replaced with the new multi-purpose 120-litre wheelie bins which are specifically designed to work in conjunction with the mechanical lifting equipment of the new compactor vehicles. They not only provide greater capacity but incorporate a mechanism to restrict the aperture to avoid rubbish blowing away or being pulled out by seagulls and are fixed units which no longer need to be chained to railings. With regard to alternatives and locations, although there are numerous shapes, sizes and colours of bins, the department requires a uniformly typed bin that is practical and suitable for the amount of rubbish that our coastal and beach areas generate. We have only had one other complaint regarding this and I believe it is the same person that has complained to the Constable, but the benefits of these types of bins are as follows. Health and safety, they reduce the potential risk of back injuries. They have a greater capacity than the previous bins which sometimes overflowed with the amount of rubbish produced in the area and they do not have to be chained to the railings as previous bins were in order to stop vandals throwing them into the sea. I myself have passed Havre des Pas on one occasion to retrieve a bin that some scallywag has thrown into the sea and they think it is great fun but it is very expensive and obviously a danger to shipping. However, I have spoken to my department about this and I am more than happy to look at this again if the Constable is unhappy but I do have regular contact with most of the Constables so anything the Constable is not happy with, please call me.
- The Connétable of St. Martin :
I thank the Minister for that. I also thank the media for taking it was quite a small item but when I started going round, it is around the Island. It might not be a big thing but it is to people who have donated benches in memory of people and also to the visitors that go to the area. Is the Minister able to advise the Assembly of the cost of the new bins and the associated costs with the installing of the metal pillars into the granite?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I do not have that information but those bins can be relocated elsewhere.
- The Connétable of St. John :
Can I say, Minister, in the event that you have to relocate some of those bins, I am sure we have got some areas in St. John which may not be quite in such a public view that could do with bins to collect some of the waste.
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I am more than happy to look into that.
- Deputy J.H. Young:
Would the Minister agree there may be an opportunity for creative art on these bins in order to be able to improve their appearance?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I am more than happy to look into that also. I am not sure of the Deputy 's artistic talents but I would welcome it.