MEMBERS of a rural Peeblesshire community have been left with a two-mile round trip to put their bins out after the council changed its collection routine.

For years residents of Ruddenleys – a small settlement high in the hills between Lamancha and Eddleston – have put their refuse in wheelie bins stored near the bottom of their mile-long drive.

A Scottish Borders Council (SBC) lorry would then back into the lane, collect the waste and put the empty bins back in their place.

But 77-year-old Tom Flynn, of the Carriage House, said residents now have to drag their bins a handful of steps out to the end of the drive the night before collection – and then move them back afterwards.

Mr Flynn, who has lived in the remote community of five houses since 1989, said: “At first, years ago, the council put in a skip and they used to turn into the drive and lift it up.

“We converted to wheelie bins about 20 years ago.

“We have to move the wheelie bins maybe 12 steps because their bin workers cannot do it.”

On the previous collection routine, he said: “It has worked for 20 years.

“The council’s workers even upgraded the small entrance section of the drive in the past.”

An SBC spokesperson said: “We are not aware of any ongoing issues with waste collections in this location. However, we would be happy to discuss any concerns with residents.”