An elderly couple have been forced to cancel their holiday as a skip filled with building materials remains stuck on their driveway.
Ann and John Espley ordered the waste disposal unit to their home in Longton, near Stoke, in March while they had renovation work done.
Three months later, the skip is still parked in front of their property after Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre had their permit suspended by the Environment Agency.
Calls to the company and the council have proved fruitless and mean the couple are now too scared to go on holiday in case someone finally comes to collect the huge unit.
They have also been forced to park their car on the road, while their son leaves his vehicle on their neighbour’s driveway.
The pair branded the saga ‘an absolute nightmare’ as they remain in the dark over when the heaving full skip will be collected.
Ms Espley, 76, said: ‘We were having renovations done so we needed a skip. We had the bathroom gutted and had a new one put in.
‘Our plumber actually ordered the skip for us. He’s been on to them and they’ve just given him the same message that’s on their website.
Ann Espley pictured with a skip that remains stuck on her driveway in Longton, near Stoke. She and her husband John have been forced to cancel their holiday as a result
They ordered the waste disposal unit to their home in March while they had renovation work done
‘He’s been down there to try to get it sorted, but nobody was there to see him. He’s phoned and he can’t get through. It’s just a waste of time.
‘I phoned the council and they told me there’s nothing they can do. We can’t do anything about it ourselves, otherwise we’ll get in trouble.
‘It’s just been a nightmare. We can just about get our car on the drive but we’re having to leave it on the road.
‘Luckily our son can park his car on the neighbour’s drive.
‘Our son’s friend has had one of their skips stuck on his drive since January. At this rate, it’ll still be here at Christmas.’
The couple explained they had been eagerly awaiting a holiday this summer after the Covid pandemic and various health issues meant they had to go years without one.
‘At our age, we only do coach holidays,’ she added. ‘We aren’t going to leave the car on the road unattended.
‘We could get the car on the drive, but if we did and they came to remove it while we’re gone, we’d miss the chance. Plus anybody could come along and start loading more stuff onto the skip.
Three months later, the skip is still parked in front of their property after Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre, pictured, had their permit suspended by the Environment Agency
‘Thanks to the pandemic and health problems we’ve had going on, this has been the first year in a while where we’ve had the opportunity to go away. But now we can’t!
‘So it is driving me mental. The only thing I can be grateful for is that we haven’t booked somewhere already.’
The pair spend each day waiting with baited breath to see if the skip has been removed, although every time they check they are left disappointed.
Ms Espley said: ‘Our waste bins are at the back so we both have to get together and lift the bin over the skip to get it onto the road.
‘There isn’t enough room to get it out off the drive. That’s not a good thing to be doing when you’re both getting on a bit.
‘I could do with someone coming with a truck and getting rid of it. If they can’t get rid of it and they can’t collect them, what are they going to do about it?
‘It’s not good for all of us who have been left with this problem. I just want it gone so I can get on with my life. Every day when we go out, we say “Will it be gone or will it still be there?” And it’s still there every time.’
Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre’s website says: ‘There may be delays in skip collections until further notice.
‘We kindly ask that customers continue to work with us for skip collections, as arranging alternative disposal or third-party operators may lead to complications, including potential legal ramifications.
‘Your patience and cooperation during this time is greatly appreciated and we are committed to restoring full operations as soon as possible while ensuring compliance with all regulations.’
MailOnline has approached Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre for comment.
An Environment Agency spokesman said: ‘Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre is storing more waste than is authorised by the conditions of its environmental permit and in a manner that poses a serious risk of pollution.
‘We have therefore suspended one of the company’s two environmental permits and are taking action to encourage the company to keep the amount of waste it stores within acceptable limits.’
