Bin crews to beat the heat with dawn collections

Residents are being advised to put their bins out earlier than usual as councils across the West try to shield collection crews from the midday sun.

The Met Office has extended an amber extreme heat warning to four days from Monday 22 June, predicting temperatures of up to 38C (100F).

Crews from Cheltenham Borough Council and Somerset Council will begin collections an hour earlier at 06:00 BST, while Bristol Waste will start rounds from 05:00 BST.

The changes come a month after hot weather caused disruption to bin lorries, including numerous breakdowns and malfunctioning mechanisms.

Waste crews often start earlier during heatwaves to avoid peak temperatures, keeping workers safe while maintaining efficient and hygienic collections.

Cheltenham Borough Council said normal collections were set to resume on Monday 29 June, but if hot weather persists, the change could continue throughout summer.

Councillor Steve Harvey said: "This is to help our crews and vehicles cope in the heat and ensure that they're able to complete the scheduled collections.

"Residents are asked to put their recycling boxes, food caddies, refuse and garden bins out for collection at kerbside by 06:00 BST.

"Our crews will do their very best to be as quiet as possible whilst out collecting earlier in the morning."

Federica Smith-Roberts from Somerset Council encouraged residents to put out their bins the night before collection.

Bristol Waste Company said: "Thank you for helping keep our crews safe whilst they do their crucial job."

The Met Office amber warning for extreme heat will come into force across much of southern and eastern England and parts of south Wales from 01:00 BST on Monday.

It remains valid until 23:59 on Thursday.

Daytime temperatures are expected to exceed 30C (86F) widely across the warning area, with the hottest locations potentially reaching around 38C (100F).

It means the UK is bracing for its hottest ever June day, following the warmest ever May day last month – 34.8C in Kew Gardens in London.

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