THURROCK Council has changed its brown bin collection policy and will now be collecting them every two weeks.

After a period when collection of garden and kitchen waste was halted completely, three weeks ago the authority reverted to a monthly collection service.

That has now been changed to a fortnightly one.

Bins are or have been collected this week in Aveley & Uplands, Belhus, South Chafford and West Thurrock and South Stifford.

From Monday, 18 May a new rota will come into force, with brown bins being collected in the week in half of the borough's 20 wards.

Starring from Monday bins will collected in Chadwell St Mary, Corringham and Fobbing, East Tilbury, Little Thurrock Rectory, Orsett, Stanford East & Corringham Town, Stanford-le-Hope West, The Homesteads, Tilbury Riverside & Thurrock Park and Tilbury St Chads.

In the week beginning Monday, 25 May fortnightly collections will begin in Aveley & Uplands, Belhus, Chafford & North Stifford, Grays Riverside, Grays Thurrock, Little Thurock Blackshots, Ockendon, South Chafford, Stifford Clays and West Thurrock & South Stifford.

Blue and Green/Gray bin collections remain weekly and there will be no changes to collection days in the week of the Spring bank holiday (Monday, 25 May).

Cllr Aaron Watkins, cabinet member for environment said: "I'm delighted that after further review we have been able to increase the frequency of garden waste collections to fortnightly, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our frontline waste crews and staff. We ask that residents continue to minimise their garden waste and compact what they put in their brown bins to ensure it will fit.

"Please also ensure that brown bins are used for their designated purpose and are not contaminated with items such as hardcore and concrete.

On Monday, 18 May the civic tip at Linford will reopen, with strict conditions.

Cllr Watkins added: "The Linford Household Waste and Recycling Centre reopens for waste or recycling which cannot be stored safely at home from Monday, 18 May, under strict social distancing rules. Please only visit the tip if absolutely necessary. Residents can also use the bulky waste collection service, which is cheap, convenient and has no issues around social distancing.

"Continue to dispose of food waste in your green or grey bin or, alternatively, residents can give composting a go. We encourage those who have been using a self-made composting site to still do so where possible. This natural process can help you to save money, improve the soil in the garden and can help reduce your impact on the environment.

"Many thanks to our residents for their patience during this period."