SOUTHAMPTON could end up looking like bin city.

That is the verdict of one councillor who says that the forthcoming fortnightly bin collections could lead to the city looking unsightly and messy.

Southampton City Council is set to roll out fortnightly collections in two weeks.

The council say the controversial move will save money, and could improve recycling rates.

However, campaigners against the plans warn it could result in chaos.

Putting People First councillor for Coxford Ward, Don Thomas, said: “I can see nothing but trouble ahead, I think waste disposal is one of the council’s main and most important services and I, like everyone else, fear that the streets could end up being strewn with rubbish.

“I hope that if this does turn out to be chaos, that they are willing to go back to weekly collections.

“I hope that the unions are on top of this. It looks to me like it could be cut now or in the

future, this administrations record speaks for itself regarding cuts.

“I think it will look like a bin city, if we are not careful and it is not done in a good way.”

The fortnightly service is being introduced as part of a £42.3million package of savings agreed by the cash-strapped city council when it set its budget in February.

Household waste will be collected one week and recycling waste the next, and the move will affect around 70,000 households in the city.

Cabinet member for environment and transport, Jacqui Rayment, said no-one will lose their jobs, but admitted that anyone leaving or retiring will not be replaced.

She said the move was necessary as keeping weekly bin collections would cost the authority more than £800,000 a year, and she pointed to 70 per cent of other councils introducing alternative weekly collections.

Cllr Rayment said: “We have been all over the country looking at authorities who are doing alternate weekly collections, looking at how they have done it well and how some have done it badly.

“That has helped us shape how we do it in Southampton.

“It is a huge change for residents of Southampton and I am expecting there to be teething problems.

“But the majority of the country appear to be operating it without the problems people are saying. I do not see how the residents of Southampton can’t help us deliver it in time.”

It is understood that there will be an additional bin crew that will be used to clean up litter and ensure bins are not overflowing, at the same time the council say they will recruit three new enforcement officers to clamp down on litter offenders.

Chair of Outer Avenue Residents Association, Sue Swallow said: “This is a cost-cutting exercise because the council is strapped for cash.

“They are going to have a follow-on lorry so if there is a problem they will clear up afterwards, which is something they do not do now.”