Labour have ignored over 1,500 residents who signed a Liberal Democrat petition calling for the return of litter bins controversially axed earlier this year.

In June, in a move that sparked cross-party and public anger, 349 litter and dog bins were removed by City of York Council.

1,530 people living in Dringhouses & Woodthorpe, Fulford, and Huntington & New Earswick put their names to the petition demanding a reversal of the cull.

This intense public opposition led to 12 of the bins being reinstated and another 17 being relocated.

However, demands to return the remaining 320 bins were rejected by the Labour Cabinet for Environmental Services at a special meeting tonight.

Councillor Carol Runciman, Liberal Democrat Group Leader on City of York Council, commented:

“It is extremely disappointing that Labour have ignored over 1,500 local residents and failed to reverse their decision to cut nearly 1-in-3 of York’s litter bins. It is totally wrong that Labour continue to find money for extravagant schemes in the city centre, but can not provide the basic services in our local communities and villages.

“In the face of public opposition Labour have been forced to reinstate a few bins, but the Liberal Democrat Group will continue to argue that they should return all bins where there is a demand to do so and where an increase in litter has been reported by residents or local businesses.”