Dawn vigilante puts lid on binmen's big din

 

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER Last updated at 08:15am on 5th October 2006

Dawn raid: Homeowner Chris Perry blockaded his cul-de-sac and wouldn't let the noisy binmen leave

 

 

 

Chris Perry rarely needed an alarm clock.

Every week, at 5.45am on the dot, he would find himself sitting bolt upright in bed as noisy binmen clattered into his street.

Then there was the thunder of wheelie bins being pulled from driveways and the roar of the engine from the lorry.

After weeks of disturbed sleep, Mr Perry, had had enough.

Convinced the council wouldn't act on any complaint, the part-time teacher took matters into his own hands.

In a scene which could have come straight from comedian Jack Dee's new TV comedy, Lead Balloon, he parked his Rover across their path, blocking them in the cul-de-sac.

Then he demanded they call their depot to change their collection times.

The binmen, however, phoned the police instead. But they were astounded when officers told them to stop working so early and to leave the estate in Winchester, Hampshire, immediately.

"I chased them off with their tails between their legs," said a delighted Mr Perry, who has been hailed a hero by his neighbours.

"It's absolutely ridiculous that they have the cheek to turn up at the crack of dawn every week and create such a racket.

"They've been seriously pushing their luck. The sound of them wheeling the bins up and down the street is like thunder in the morning and it puts you in such an awful mood when you wake up.

"I know that they've got a difficult job to do but 5.45am is completely unreasonable when people are trying to get some rest.

"I'm not prepared to be woken up that early in the morning. I was so annoyed that I felt I had to take a stand myself. There's no point complaining to the council because they wouldn't do anything.

"I got up, got dressed and drove round to where they were collecting the rubbish and gave them a piece of my mind.

"I was so riled when the driver told me that he had to start his rounds early so he could get back in time to drive his son to school.

"That's no excuse for waking the whole neighbourhood up, so I decided to block them in. But they said they'd ram me out of the way.

"When they phoned the police they in effect sided with me. This is a victory for decent people who deserve a good night's sleep.

"They ought to give these dustmen a DASBO - a dustcart antisocial behaviour order. Winchester City Council's rubbish contractor, Serco, has since apologised.

A spokesman explained that the binmen had been starting much earlier than necessary. City councillor

Brian Collins, who represents the ward where Mr Perry lives, said: "It is not reasonable for them to start before 7am. While I can't condone Mr Perry's action, everyone is now going to benefit.

"So I've told him: 'you've been a bad boy - well done'." A council spokesman said an investigation was taking place.

In the BBC comedy Lead Balloon, a frustrated Jack Dee sets his alarm to confront a noisy paperboy.

saw this in the paper today. can't believe they were collecting befroe 7am, its mental!!

saw this in the paper today. can't believe they were collecting befroe 7am' date=' its mental!![/quote']

 

Yeah - they're quite obviously "basket" cases!!:P

Yeah - they're quite obviously "basket" cases!!:P

 

that was rubbish!!!

that was rubbish!!!

 

I refuse to accept it!!:rolleyes: