More than 95 per cent of homes in Tendring received a waste and recycling collection service yesterday - despite the treacherous conditions.

Tendring District Council's (TDC) contractors Veolia Environmental Services managed to get down most roads to maintain the service.

They were back out again early this morning and expect to provide a normal collection today, as well as try to pick up the few that missed out yesterday.

The crews were only unable to reach a very small number of homes in Dovercourt and the Frinton area.

Nick Turner, TDC's Cabinet Member for the Environment, said it was a fantastic effort by all concerned to ensure it was very much business as usual.

"Although there were concerns about the safety of some untreated roads the crews put in a sterling shift and almost everywhere was collected," he said.

"Veolia are back out on the streets today and expect to cover the normal Tuesday collection except if they come across anywhere that is simply not safe due to snow and ice.

"They have also promised that when they finish today they will go back to places that couldn't be collected yesterday, rather than those homes having to wait a week."

During yesterday's rounds one member of Veolia's team broke their ankle after falling on the ice.

Veolia are also currently delivering residents' supplies of 52 black bags for the year and those deliveries will slip a couple of days on the schedule while priority is given to collecting waste and recycling.

Street sweeping services have also returned to normal today, all public conveniences will be open as will the majority of car parks across the District in a bid to keep the area's economy keeps ticking over during the cold snap.

Cllr Turner added: "I cannot praise all the staff and crews enough and thank them for all their efforts in the most difficult of conditions."

7/2/12