A NEW recycling service in West Devon has run into problems — it is a victim of its own success.

The snag came after hundreds of householders enthusiastically joined the green scheme.

Thousands of smart plastic recycling boxes were delivered to residents in the borough throughout the last few weeks, and can be filled with cardboard, newspapers, tin cans and, for the first time, glass.

But the weekly collection service has come to an abrupt halt in some areas. Not only has the sheer volume of recyclables exceeded expectations — the new collection vehicles have been unable to negotiate many of the steep, narrow or winding lanes in the borough.

Focsa has the contract to collect the recycling boxes throughout West Devon.

Operations director Tony Adamson admitted there had been teething problems with the service.

He said: 'The vehicles that are being put in have not all arrived yet — we are expecting delivery of two more vehicles early in December and one of those is a smaller one which was ordered specifically to get round some of the difficult access areas.'

Mr Adamson said the delivery of boxes had been sub-contracted out — Focsa staff worked last weekend to try and make up the shortfall in the amount distributed by the sub-contractor.

Focsa carry out five recycling 'rounds' in West Devon. Mr Adamson was confident that once all five vehicles, plus a spare, had arrived, the service would be running smoothly.

David Inman, deputy chief executive at the borough council, said: 'The first week is always a difficult week — firstly, you have no idea how many people are going to participate and secondly, because people previously were on a two-week cycle, there is probably more in the boxes.

'Initially, we thought the take up of people recycling may increase slightly. in fact, it's shot up, it's been a massive success'.

Mr Inman said Focsa is contractually obligated to fulfil the collection service and any increase in costs incurred through the collection of recyclable materials in West Devon would fall at the feet of Focsa, not on ratepayers.

'They will have to deal with it and I'm sure they will get it right, if people could just be understanding for the first weeks,' Mr Inman said.

He advised people who have not had their boxes emptied to put them out again next week.

Cllr Richard Phillips, chairman of the council's waste reduction and recycling working group, said: 'We are really grateful to the public, they really have come up trumps.

'The contractor has had a few problems but it is not surprising. For them it's always been a challenge to gauge the take-up rate and establish the best way of delivering a new service.

'I'm sure they will soon get into the groove — the message we want to convey is "thanks everyone!"'

Anyone who has still not received a recycling box by Monday December 3 should contact Focsa direct on 01822 616408.