News In The Hebden Bridge List

Kerbside Calderdale To Suspend Collections

On 10th April 2009 Kerbside Calderdale will suspend its collection service to 25,000 households in the borough – unless a source of income materialises in the very near future. The battling recyclers have defied economic gravity since 4th August 2008 when they manifested a determination to carry on collecting despite the withdrawal of funding for the service.

Paul Brannigan said: “On 10th April we will have survived eight months longer than certain leading figures, within SITA and Calderdale Council, expected or desired. This was made possible by the single minded loyalty and determination of both our customers and our staff – a fact which is as moving as it is breathtaking.”

On the subject of the future Mr Brannigan explained: “We have not stopped fighting and will be asking our customers to put their black boxes in a safe place until we return. These items may belong to Kerbside but Kerbside belongs to the people of Calderdale. They are our trustees.”

Kerbside has a full time staff of 18 and also 16 trainees who were being prepared for advancement to employment. The employees were offered employment by SITA back in August 2008 and it is believed that they will all be offered employment when the collection is suspended.

Kerbside Director, Chris Haddock, confirmed: “Our staff, on performance statistics, show they are the best – any waste management company would be fortunate to employ them. We gave many of them their first real chance of employment and we would never encourage them to risk unemployment again – particularly in the present climate. Should we resume our service, they will all be given the opportunity to return to Kerbside.”

The trainees are a much greater concern for Kerbside. They have no immediate prospects of employment and could find themselves having to return to what, for many of them, was a relatively meaningless existence.

Their training programmes were funded out of profits from the main recycling operation and, at present, no one is stepping in to continue Kerbside’s work.

Chris Haddock explained: “These are some of the most vulnerable people in our community. They have made phenomenal strides at Kerbside and they were always our greatest concern – one of the main reasons that we decided to keep going – it is very upsetting for everyone concerned.”

On Saturday Kerbside will be having an open day event, starting at 9.00am, at its premises at Luddendenfoot. Local produce stalls, music, a bar and, above all, the official launch of Kerbside Green Ale.

Paul Brannigan said: “Come and taste the emerald nectar on draught, buy it in bottles and celebrate the work of The Green Machine.”

Visit The Kerbside Website