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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to report neighbours leaving bins blocking pavement for wheelchair access?

36 replies

Wheelchairbarbie · 16/03/2026 18:24

This might sound petty, but hear me out.

Bin day is a Tuesday. One week the bins come early, at 7am (black, general waste) and the next week they come about 11am (green, recycling) and it alternates like that.

The people a few houses down put their bins (two of them) out on the pavement at 11am on a Monday, every week without fail. So it's up to 24 hours in advance that they are sat there.

It's a narrow street, with no dropped curbs and a high camber in the road.

I am a wheelchair user and when I'm going along the pavement, I literally can't get around the bins. I can't navigate my chair onto the road as there is no dropped curbs and the camber is so high. My options when I come across them are ot reverse up the street or wait for a passerby to help me.

This is the only route to my bus stop and I need to school runs and get to and from work.

I see them walking their dog past my house several times a day, so I know they are around after they put the bins out. I've no idea why they do it so early. They always take them back in the second the bin men have been too. Like, before they've even pulled away.

My husband has been round twice to explain the situation and ask them not to block the pavement for a whole 24 hours. They didn't answer both times even though we had seen them pull into the drive and go in, the second time he put a note through the door.

I saw them walk past at the weekend and went to the door and politely asked if they had got my husband's note and if it was OK to please note do that. They could see I'm in a wheelchair. They looked sheepish and said "Oh yeah, OK, fine" but then today... They did it again! I was stuck until a lady helped me round.

I've also seen several mums with pushchairs have to walk into the road to get round them too.

What can I do? I absolutely hate to be "that person". I just want to live my life, go to school and work and move along the street I live on with independence and feel they are being very selfish and inconsiderate.

If they won't listen to us, can we report them to the council? I am pretty sure there's is a council house. I don't want to but if I have to can l/should I? And do the council have powers?

TIA

OP posts:
hahabahbag · 16/03/2026 18:51

It’s infuriating for you and putting them out before 6pm is a bit ridiculous but I like most people put my bin out when I’m preparing dinner, quite frankly i wouldn’t remember later and once I’ve eaten I’m not going back outside, it’s a 5 minute walk to put mine out due to the set up of the development. They are then out until 6pm the following day because the bin men usually haven’t come by 8.10am when I leave. It’s the system that doesn’t work for you really not people having their bins out overnight

PlasticFantas · 16/03/2026 18:51

You can absolutely report them for blocking the pavement.

It sounds like there's a bigger issue your council should be considering though with wheelie bins regularly blocking the street due to where they're required to be picked from and left. Using narrow pavements for this is detrimental to disabled people.

Original poster
Wheelchairbarbie · 16/03/2026 18:51

Shutuptrevor · 16/03/2026 18:46

I think you could try reporting to the Highways department of your local council- maybe take photos and ask if they could have a word.

But I would also put another letter through the door and ask them to please think about their actions. Again. Could you knock on their door when you’re stuck so they can see impact??

I want to (and only can after being helped around the bins) but I'm not brave enough. It was hard enough going to my own door to speak to them. I only did that because I felt I had to. My heart was pounding the whole time.

OP posts:
FateAmenableToChange · 16/03/2026 18:50

Is there a footpath on the other side of the road? If they leave the house for work they might have to put the bins out early. Unfortunately not much to be done if there is nowhere else to put them.

ValleyClouds · 16/03/2026 18:47

I’m also a wheelchair user and totally hear you and feel your pain

but you say there’s is a council house - it’s probably not as most council houses are now 3rd party Housing Association run and you’d need to know which HA. If your council has a street/rubbish nuisance option you can call on them

Don’t give up, make noise until they stop!

Shutuptrevor · 16/03/2026 18:46

I think you could try reporting to the Highways department of your local council- maybe take photos and ask if they could have a word.

But I would also put another letter through the door and ask them to please think about their actions. Again. Could you knock on their door when you’re stuck so they can see impact??

Wonkywalker · 16/03/2026 18:45

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/household-waste-bins-when-and-how-councils-may-issue-fixed-penalties

it is an offence and you could report it - I am tempted to do so as I am on two crutches and struggle to walk on bin day - combination of bins and cars across pavements . I don't think people realise how hard it is when there is no dropped kerb - you have my sympathy but I would be tempted to try another bite first as I hate confrontation

Household waste bins: when and how councils may issue fixed penalties

How and when local authorities can and cannot use fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for householders not complying with waste receptacle requirements.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/household-waste-bins-when-and-how-councils-may-issue-fixed-penalties

steinwayto · 16/03/2026 18:44

Report them if you want but don’t expect much to happen. One of our neighbours dogs keeps shitting up and down street on the pavement and the best they did was put up a sign.

NotEnoughtGin · 16/03/2026 18:40

Report to the council, there's no excuse for putting your bin out the morning before it's being picked up. Some people are just selfish

Original poster
Wheelchairbarbie · 16/03/2026 18:39

Lmnop22 · 16/03/2026 18:36

It’s annoying but, realistically, who are you reporting them to and what action do you expect to be taken? The council aren’t going to go round and read them the riot act and, unfortunately, bad manners aren’t punishable offences

It's actually a bit more than annoying.

Imagine not being able to walk along your own street and then been stuck in one place, often with your young children, and then having to rely on strangers to help you.

OP posts:
Lmnop22 · 16/03/2026 18:36

It’s annoying but, realistically, who are you reporting them to and what action do you expect to be taken? The council aren’t going to go round and read them the riot act and, unfortunately, bad manners aren’t punishable offences

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