A disabled Kingston resident has expressed outrage over the council’s decision not to introduce a free rubbish removal service for people with disabilities.
Louis Sheldon-Williams, 62, suffers from severe spinal myelopathy that means he has great difficulty walking.
He has been campaigning for six years for a free collection service of large waste items, such as unwanted furniture, for disabled people on income support.
He said: “I lived in Kew Gardens and Hackney before moving to Kingston. In both these boroughs the council offered this service
"If you’re disabled you are unable to lift heavy items such as freezers and beds. When I wanted to get rid of an old mattress, the council charged me £30. I got a friend to help me. Many disabled people can’t rely on this support and live in squalor.”
Council leader Kevin Davis said no free service would not be introduced.
He said: “There is no direct correlation between disability and the ability to pay.
"Were the council to introduce a blanket scheme of free waste collections for disabled people it is inevitable that we would be collecting waste from those perfectly able to pay for the service.”
- Got a story? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6318 or email rachael.burford@london.newsquest.co.uk
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