A row is raging over changes to recycling in the Aire Valley with Conservatives accusing Labour-run Bradford Council of causing confusion when it comes to waste management.

Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, Conservative spokesman for environment and sport, said: “It seems to be a never-ending stream of debacles.

“First we had the introduction of the user-unfriendly waste recycling permit scheme, then we had the chaotic Christmas refuse collections when waste stood in the street for days on end and now we have total confusion over the Aire Valley Recycling contract,” said Coun Poulsen (Worth Valley).

“This area’s recycling had been handled by an independent business dealing with different residential pockets across the Aire Valley.

“The Council announced on June 20 that the contract would be coming back in house on July 8 and that residents would be contacted and informed of the new arrangements.

“But I’m now getting contacted by residents who are saying that they have heard nothing and they do not know when to put their recycling out.

“I’ve not even had the letter, so while I am on the Council, I don’t know myself what is going on.

“It’s clear to me that the department is not functioning smoothly and the portfolio holder has had enough warning signs to know that he urgently needs to get a grip of it,” she said.

Coun Andrew Thornton (Lab, Royds) holds that responsibility and said he did not know why Coun Poulsen seemed in the dark. “Coun Poulsen really ought to know what’s going on as she would have had details of the changes in her role on the Council, as well as a letter,” he said.

“Letters were sent out to all the residents and it was set out very clearly that there were to be no actual changes in services and no changes in the dates or arrangements for collection,” he said.

“We’ve not had any complaints that I’m aware of.

“Basically it’s not going to change in any way shape or form.

“We’ve brought this service back in house with all the staff who were originally doing the job and everything should be the same overall. Anyone who has any difficulties or questions should of course call the Council’s main number which is (01274) 431000.”