IT would seem that my pessimistic prediction of how the new refuse collection would roll out this week was accurate.

Strangers and acquaintances alike are volunteering stories of disappointment and frustration to me. Otherwise perfectly intelligent friends struggle to understand the system. A garage receptionist told me that she had now unsuccessfully asked on four separate occasions for the new bins that we are now compelled to use. She’s not alone.

Baker Towers was visited on Monday by two separate huge trucks (both bigger than the lorry that used to come up our unmade, potholed road every week). There were two drivers and four loaders involved, as opposed to the one of each in the smaller lorry that formerly collected our refuse. I hope I don’t get them into trouble by telling you that despite not having the correct array of bins that have replaced the one we had before, they took what they could stoically, for which I thank them as frontline workers put in a difficult position by their employers.

We have known about this impending upheaval in our refuse collection for months. Serco have presumably known about it even longer and therefore had plenty of time to demonstrate their worthiness to take over the contract from the company who for the last number of years have successfully served the area.

When I telephoned Wycombe District Council, who awarded the contract to Serco – presumably on the basis that they would do a better job than their predecessors, it took around 15 minutes to get through. No prizes for guessing why they were so busy. The very nice but clearly busy lady apologised for my lack of bins and told me that they were committed to delivering them ‘within 48 hours’.

I noted she didn’t say that they actually would be delivered within 48 hours. And of course they haven’t been and we are still waiting. I asked her why it now took nine men to do the work formerly done by two and how this could possibly be better value for the council tax payer. She told me the council had gone for the cheapest tender. How can it be cheaper to have more men and more and bigger vehicles churning up our roads? I’m glad I’m not a Serco shareholder.

I wonder if the men who do the job were consulted on how best to provide the service.