PROBLEMS with garden waste collections in parts of York will continue this week as City of York Council said high levels of staff sickness are causing a shortage of lorry drivers.

James Gilchrist, the authority’s assistant director of transport, highways and environment, apologised last week after thousands of homes were missed off the green bin collection round on June 25.

A spokesman for the council said today that a shortage of drivers will continue to affect collections in Bishopthorpe, north Haxby, Clifton, Dringhouses, rural areas and parts of Acaster Malbis and Copmanthorpe.

They said staff sickness and the need to prioritise rubbish and recycling collections mean there are not enough drivers to complete the rounds.

Crews have already cleared half of the bins missed last week and are aiming to clear the rest as soon as possible. The spokesman advised residents to leave their bin in place if it has not been collected.

Read more: Thousands of green bins go unemptied in Fulford, Bishopthorpe and around Hull Road