Bin men nearly hit after car mounted path in Blackburn

Blackburn with Darwen Council posted the video to its social media page to raise awareness of the incident of shocking driving in Devon Road.

It shows an impatient driver, in a silver Volkswagen Polo, mounting the curb and driving along the pavement and a grass verge to get around a bin lorry, rather than waiting like any other sensible person would do.

Due to parked vehicles in the street, the road was taken up by the lorry, however if the driver had waited patiently a few seconds for the lorry to move on, would have been able to pass normally.

Two workers were collecting bins when this happened and were going to return empty bins to the pavement when the silver car drove by.

The quick-thinking driver of the refuse collection vehicle sounded the horn to alert his colleagues, which may have helped avoid them being injured, or worse.

The driver of the car has received a warning letter, and if they are caught doing this in the future they will be handed a community protection notice and risk facing a fine or prosecution.

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesperson said: “Our refuse team had one hairy moment a couple of weeks ago. 

“The driver in the silver car decided they were too impatient to wait for our collection vehicle, and mounted the pavement where our team were collecting the bins.

“Luckily, the quick-thinking driver of the collection vehicle alerted his colleagues by sounding the horn, which avoided a collision.

“The driver of the silver car received a warning letter in accordance with section 43 of the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

"If they partake in similar behaviour in future, they could be served with a community protection notice with further action taken such as a fine or prosecution.

“In this case, our refuse collection vehicle had no option but to take up the road because of parked vehicles.

"Please think before you park. And remember – patience is a virtue!”