Luxury Leeds flats fear three months of missed bin collections due to Great George Street roadworks

The K2 Apartments building, located on the corner of Albion Street and Great George Street, has been left without bin collections for over four weeks at a cost of £1,123 in private collections as a result of roadworks shutting off bin lorry access.

Starting January 5, a one-way system has been installed on Great George Street, between Oxford Place and Park Street (Leeds General Infirmary), as construction began on the £12.76 million Leeds City Links scheme.

The K2 Lettings and Management Company (K2MCL) told the YEP that they fear their residents could be facing up to three months of missed collections, rising to potentially as high as £12,000 in additional costs if private collections have to be arranged.

“K2 is one of the most desirable locations for city-centre living in Leeds and this prestigious development consistently maintains full occupancy, a K2MCL spokesperson said.

“Given the environmental and workplace safety enforcement regulations in place, the council's oversight in not providing a reliable method for refuse collection during the period of construction works is of great concern.

“Furthermore, the council advising that the industrial-sized communal bins be wheeled out of the building and taken down the hill to await collection on the street is an unfeasible suggestion, given the insurance implications of using untrained operatives and potential danger to the public due to the restricted pavement areas due to construction fencing. Additionally, the building already has four weeks-worth of overspill refuse that also requires disposal.”

Pictures shared with the YEP showcased the worsening problem with rubbish piled up to the ceiling and industrial waste bins now too heavy to be moved.

K2 said they were previously informed that due to the roadworks their bins would have to be left for collection near the rear car park, but management expressed concerns about whether they were insured to authorise a “DIY” form of moving such heavy and deep communal bins.

The company previously arranged for a private bin collection, but said the bins were now so full that the company informed them they too would no longer be insured to move them, due to the travel distance and the route being complicated by it being on a slope.

Leeds City Council has apologised for the issues caused and said that they are “working closely with contractors” to arrange the manual collection of bins.

“We are aware of ongoing issues affecting the collection of waste bins at the K2 building on Albion Street. This is due to roadworks relating to construction work taking place on Great George Street as part of a £12.7m scheme to improve walking and cycling routes in the city,” an authority spokesperson said.

“While access remains affected as part of this project, our waste services team are working closely with contractors and the building management team to arrange manual collection of bins from an accessible collection point as required.

“We acknowledge the significant inconvenience this has caused and apologise to all those affected.”

The Leeds City Links scheme aims to upgrade key walking and cycling routes in the city in the hope of enhancing connectivity, accessibility, and sustainability across southern and northern sections of the city centre.

The management company said that movement of the bins had been further complicated by the pavement areas surrounding the building being significantly narrowed by construction fencing, and that to follow the council’s advice would mean excess refuse being left unattended in bags in the street.

“It is hoped the council revisits the advice at the earliest opportunity and consults with the construction works' road liaison manager to come up with a more effective plan for regular collections, not just at K2, but at other locations similarly impacted in such a busy quarter of the city centre,” a K2MCL spokesperson added.