RESIDENTS have been urged to ‘bear with’ the council as the snowy conditions hinder waste collections and close recycling centres.

Epping Forest District Council bin men are picking up rubbish and recycling today, so long as they can access properties.

Fortnightly black and recycling bins will be prioritised, with food and garden waste collected once they are done.

A council spokesperson said: “Driving conditions are difficult for our larger refuse trucks, so please bear with us.

“If your black bin and recycling waste is not collected today, please leave it out on the boundary and our contractors will return to collect them over the coming days – weather permitting.”

Those expecting a food and garden waste collection today should leave your green lidded bin out on the boundary of their property.

If your waste has not been collected by 5pm today, take it in and place it out again the following week for collection.

Those requiring housing repairs should email housingrepairs@eppingforestdc.gov.uk or call 01992 564199 in an emergency. The services are particularly busy.

Essex Recycling has warned residents not to visit recycling centres today as they may be closed at short notice.

Brentwood, Canvey, Pitsea, Mountnessing, Rayleigh, Chelmsford, Shrub End, Braintree and Witham are all closed because of the snow.

Chigwell, Waltham Abbey, Burnham, South Woodham Ferrers, Kirby le Soken, Lawford and West Mersea are not open on Wednesdays.