DROITWICH residents hoping to dispose of bulky waste will see a rise in the cost of the service in the new financial year, after Wychavon District Council decided to introduce further charges.

Under the current system, the council offers two free collections per household a year, for up to two items each time, with a charge of £18.50 applied to items such as fridges and freezers.

This means people are able to dispose of anything from beds and mattresses, to settees, chairs and three piece suite.

However, with more cuts due to take place at the council, the decision has been made to implement a £19 charge for collecting up to two bulky items.

Sharon Casswell, client services manager at Wychavon District Council, said: “We’re the only council in Worcestershire that offers a free collection for some items and the service currently costs us £40,000 a year. Residents will be acutely aware that councils are seeing unprecedented changes to their finances and with £4 million to save over the next four years we need to make changes.”

As part of its ‘Balancing the Budget’ consultation last year, which received responses from 1,700 Wychavon residents, 66 per cent said the bulky waste collection was something they’d be prepared to see changed to help cut council costs.

Ms Casewell added: “The new scheme will still provide value for money and protect services that residents have rated as being most important – such as supporting local businesses and providing safe and enjoyable parks and open spaces. It also gives residents the peace of mind of knowing that their waste will be disposed of in a safe and responsible way.”

Residents will still have the option to dispose of items themselves at the household waste and recycling centre at Hanbury Wharf in Droitwich.

To book a bulky waste collection service, call 01386 760145 during office hours and be ready to pay with a credit or debit card. Alternatively, to find out more about the service go to wychavon.gov.uk/bulkywaste.