Recycling delay hits six Somerset areas after vehicle faults
Recycling collections across parts of Somerset were disrupted on Monday, 13 July, after what the council described as “several vehicle issues” affected crews’ ability to complete their rounds. The interruption left hundreds of scheduled doorstep pickups missed in a number of communities, with the authority advising residents to keep containers out for a follow‑up visit.
Somerset Council’s waste services confirmed that properties in and around Burnham-on-Sea, Wincanton, Templecombe, Frome, Bruton and Shepton Mallet were among those potentially affected. While the specific faults were not detailed, the council attributed the day’s shortfall to multiple vehicle problems arising during operations.
What residents are being asked to do
Households whose recycling was not collected are being asked to leave their containers at the kerbside so crews can make a return visit. The council indicated that teams intend to catch up the following day, resources allowing. That means residents should keep boxes, bags and bins in place until collections are completed.
“We're sorry, following several vehicle issues today (13 July) we won't be able to reach everyone as planned. Some households in and around Burnham-on-Sea, Wincanton, Templecombe, Frome, Bruton and Shepton Mallet may not have a recycling collection today. If your recycling isn't collected, please leave your boxes, bags and bins out. Crews will return to collect them tomorrow. Thank you for your patience.”
Where the disruption has been reported
The impact is spread across the county, from the coast to the east and north-east. The areas named by Somerset Council are listed below.
| Location | Service affected | Council advice |
|---|---|---|
| Burnham-on-Sea | Recycling collection | Leave containers out for catch-up |
| Wincanton | Recycling collection | Leave containers out for catch-up |
| Templecombe | Recycling collection | Leave containers out for catch-up |
| Frome | Recycling collection | Leave containers out for catch-up |
| Bruton | Recycling collection | Leave containers out for catch-up |
| Shepton Mallet | Recycling collection | Leave containers out for catch-up |
What this means for households
While the disruption is temporary, missed pickups can quickly lead to overflowing containers and limited storage space at home. The council’s next‑day catch‑up plan is designed to reduce that pressure, but residents should be prepared for crews arriving at different times than usual.
- If your street was missed, keep recycling containers at the kerbside until crews return.
- Ensure containers remain visible and accessible for collection teams.
- Check council updates for any further guidance if your collection is not made on the next day.
Vehicle failures can create a knock‑on effect across multiple routes, particularly when several trucks are out of service at once. With six towns cited, today’s disruption spans a significant portion of Somerset’s kerbside recycling network. The council has not indicated any changes to general rubbish collections, and no alternative drop‑off arrangements were announced for the affected areas.
Next steps
Somerset Council has apologised for the inconvenience and says crews plan to return on Tuesday to complete the missed rounds. Residents in the named locations are advised to monitor local council channels for any late changes to the catch‑up schedule and to keep containers presented until their street is cleared.
