ELDERLY residents in Stroud district have slammed a decision to restrict booking garden waste and bulky item collections to online-only.

Last week residents in Stroud district received letters which stated that members of the public wishing to have large garden waste or bulky items collected, would have to do so online.

Offers to come and submit the forms at SDC headquarters in Ebley Mill were offered, but this was seen to be a long way to come and difficult for many to manage.

Elderly residents who contacted the Gazette had stated that they would struggle to submit a form online, especially without assistance, and some did not have access to the internet.

Since then, SDC has stated that residents may organise collections and make payments over the phone from November 1 – leaving a couple weeks of freefall.

One elderly resident from Wotton, Joyce Stephens, said the decision had been very “short-sighted.”

“I felt like this was a very short-sighted decision for them [SDC] to make, and it was wrong to assume that this would be ok,” she said.

“I understand that they may be trying to save money but this is not the way – I feel it is grossly unfair to expect people aged 80 and above to be able to go online and do this, or come all the way to Stroud.

“It is a very kind offer to say that we can come to Ebley Mill and fill out a form, but that is a long way to travel and some people my age have great difficulty in travelling that far – especially without help.

“I think it was one of the ideas that has been thought up by younger people who haven’t considered how people may age would manage with this.

“I have tried to conquer email but I still need help, and I would imagine a lot of other people would be in the same situation – this needed to be brought to their attention, after all we are still paying for the service.”

After contacting SDC, representatives made clear that they had received feedback about the letters and stated that from November 1 elderly or vulnerable residents may make booking and payments over the phone.

This does however leave the online-only policy in place until then.

“From 1 November elderly or vulnerable residents who are struggling to renew or book garden waste collections online will be able to renew over the phone by making a payment by debit or credit card,” an SDC spokesman said.

“For bulky waste collections residents in similar circumstances can also book by phone.

“The contact number is 01453 754424 and lines are open Monday to Thursday from 8.45am-5pm and on Fridays between 8.45am and 4.30pm.”