RESIDENTS in five streets in Cwmfelinfach have clashed with their council after it changed their refuse collection pick-up point.

Residents at more than 100 homes, many of whom are pictured, agreed unanimously at a meeting to keep putting their bins in the back lanes for collection.

The row began when Caerphilly council reviewed its refuse policy, saying it would collect from the front of the residences instead of the back.

Residents say refuse has been collected from the back lanes of Mill Street, King Street, Arthur Street, Hill View and Maindee Road for the past 90 years, but the council says they are too narrow for collection trucks to negotiate.

Residents argue by collecting refuse from the front of their properties the trucks will be reversing up and down the streets causing damage to cars.

They also claim empty bins left in the street could be blown around, causing damage to cars and properties.

Last month the Argus reported how residents of Glenview Terrace, Ynysddu, were refusing to put their refuse at the front of their homes because they had to negotiate flights of steps. Their protest is continuing and bin sacks are piling up in the back lanes.

Grosvenor Williams, a member of Cwmfelinfach Residents Association, said the protest would go on for "as long as it takes".

Mr Williams, aged 62, of King Street, said: "The council is hiding behind the excuse of health and safety but it is all down to money at the end of the day because there haven't been any accidents with bin collecting around here for 90 years.

"If six months down the line our back lanes are full of rubbish so be it - and everybody is in agreement about this."

A spokesman for Caerphilly council said: "Collections from narrow lanes pose dangers to members of the public, collection staff, property and vehicles.

"Unfortunately, the authority has no option but to change the collection arrangements in these problem areas, although the new arrangements may cause some inconvenience.

"Hopefully, most people will agree safety must always come first and these are necessary measures."