In a rush and stuck behind the dustmen? Please stay calm!

MOTORISTS in Yeovil and South Somerset are being urged to take a deep breath and be patient if they find they are being delayed by waste collection vehicles clogging the street.

We have all been there. Running late for an appointment or just in a bad mood and you suddenly find that you are stuck in traffic because the rubbish collection lorry is blocking the road and there is no room to get around it.

Most people do bite their lip and be very British and wait for the lorry to either move over safely or enough space becomes available to pass. But others do not, however, and some vent their anger on the refuse collection crew members - more commonly known as dustmen - and there have been incidents where workers have been hit by cars which have tried to squeeze by them.

A spokesman for the Somerset Waste Partnership has asked people to be patient and – most importantly – not put themselves and others, including the recycling and refuse collection crews, at risk by poor driving.

“As well as verbal threats and physical aggression, a small minority of impatient drivers have even hit and injured crew members when mounting the pavement to get around waste vehicles,” add the spokesman.

If vehicles making house-to-house collections regularly cause long hold-ups, residents should call South Somerset District Council’s customer services department on 01935-462462 to let them know.

The SWP spokesman added: “Drivers finding themselves behind a slow moving waste vehicle have several options such as calmly accepting the inevitable, so hard working crews have the safe space to do their work; or find another route and a make a mental note to avoid the collection truck’s regular round next time.”

If anyone witnesses a collection truck driver behaving badly should stay safe, but take notes and let the Somerset Waste Partnership know by phoning 01823-625700 or email enquiries@somersetwaste.gov.uk .

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