CALLS for the return of more than 300 litter bins which were controversially removed from York streets have failed.

City of York Council began moves to take away 349 bins – more than a third of the total number in the city – in June to save £40,000 a year on collection rounds, but 1,530 Fulford, Huntington and New Earswick residents signed a petition demanding a complete reversal of the cull.

The petition went before Coun David Levene, the council's cabinet member for environmental services, yesterday but the decision was made that any bins which were removed will only be replaced where it is deemed appropriate.

Opponents of the cull say it will lead to more litter, with the council saying it does not have the funding to retain all bins and it has not seen an increase in rubbish, while some have already been put back.