ARGYLL and Bute Council has apologised to people living in the Helensburgh and Lomond area whose bin collections were disrupted over the festive season.

The authority has admitted that bins in some areas were missed out as workers continue to settle in to the new three-weekly general waste collection cycle.

The council has also asked residents to report any missed bin collections via its website.

The apology comes after the Advertiser reported complaints from people living in Helensburgh, Rhu, Garelochhead and Arrochar that their bins were rarely, if ever, being collected on the scheduled day after the new regime came into effect at the end of October.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the council said: “We’d like to apologise to anyone who experienced problems with their bin collection service over the festive period.

“The new refuse and recycling service is being delivered to 47,000 households spread across 1,430 miles.

“We would like to thank you for your patience and for working with us to increase recycling in Argyll and Bute – helping to save money for services.

“This is an extremely busy time of year and the three weekly collection service is still in the early stages. As a result bins in some areas were unfortunately missed.

“We are working hard to resolve this and ask that you leave your bin out and it will be collected as soon as possible. Missed bin collections can be reported using the form on our website.

“All other bins/bags should be left out for collection as per their calendar.

“Once again, apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused and thank you for your co-operation.”

To report a missed bin collection online, go to https://argyllandbute.custhelp.com/app/LAP_Forms/LAP_Missed_Bin