EARLY warnings that the rapid rollout of wheelie bins in Swindon would cause chaos were ignored, says a politician.

Councillor David Glaholm (Ind, Penhill) sat on a group which guided the introduction of Swindon Council's wheelie bins.

And, he says, a staggered roll-out would have solved the problems which parts of Swindon are now seeing.

"When I was on that working party I suggested that rather than a blanket roll-out we should do it slowly," he said.

"But I was told the council had the bins in West Swindon and knew what would happen.

"But it was a mistake. Rolling out everywhere at the same time meant that we learned as we went along - instead of looking at areas where we could learn from best practice.

"Councillors Stan Pajak, leader of the Liberal Democrats, and David Wren, cabinet member for the environment, were on that committee - and now their decision has come back to bite them."

The wheelie bin service began across Swindon on November 5.

In the first few weeks there was confusion over whether black bags would be collected, and thousands popped up all over Swindon.

The problem was stamped out as the council collected thousands of bags and investigated some sites as part of a probe into suspected flytipping.

But over Christmas some problems flared again in Broadgreen.

Residents there have been against wheelie bins since before they were introduced.

They say the bins are inappropriate' for their terraced streets and will cause problems.

Coun Glaholm said these problems were exactly why wheelie bin introduction should have been area by area.

"What we should have been doing is one area at a time and we should have been out there, on the streets, talking to people," said Coun Glaholm.

"There should have been more consultation - and better.

"We need to be talking to people sensibly. If people say there are lots of people in a house and not all their rubbish will fit in one wheelie bin, they need to tell us and we'll get them another wheelie bin.

"This is all about increasing recycling rates. If we don't do it then the Government will fine us.

"And I think that if it can be proved that recycling rates in all areas can go up, then I don't think wheelie bins would be necessary in all areas.

"I think what we need now is for Anne Snelgrove to call for a public meeting on this.

"She's the one person with the connections that could make it happen and who could be viewed as independent by both sides.

"She must step in because this cannot be allowed to continue."