CALLS for Glasgow City Council to supply residents with a direct phone line to book bulk uplift appointments have been made by local representatives.

As it stands, Glaswegians can only order the service through an online, request-only process, which can be made via the council’s official website or app.

Opposition councillors have united to demand a phone line is put in place, but bosses at the local authority say they can’t right now because of fears of coronavirus transmission within an office environment.

However, council chiefs are “hopeful” a dedicated number will be introduced by the “early part” of 2021.

Conservative group leader, Thomas Kerr, said the online-based request form discriminates elderly and vulnerable groups.

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He said: “The move to this new appointment-based system is bad enough, but for the SNP administration to also build a barrier to those who don’t have access to online services is utterly unacceptable.

“Many of my older and most vulnerable constituents simply don’t have access to the app, the council must relook at this issue as a matter of urgency.”

Labour councillor for Drumchapel and Anniesland, Paul Carey, added: “I find it incredible that there’s no phone line for people to call to have their bulk waste collected, given the fact some may not have access to the internet.

“Some of my constituents have told me that the only way they can request a bulk uplift is via phone as that is their only means of communication. This is completely inaccessible.

“Surely in this day-and-age the biggest local authority in Scotland can provide a phone line. The administration is out of touch with the residents it should be serving.”

Labour man Martin McElroy, who represents Springburn and Robroyston, said: “Access to council services shouldn’t be based on whether or not you own a smart phone.

“Technology is a useful tool in delivering council services but we cannot exclude citizens who are unable to access the internet.

“Unfortunately, because of Scottish Government cuts over the past 13 years, fewer and fewer people work for the council meaning a much reduced service.

“This includes staff to answer the calls of local residents about bulk uplifts.

“The council needs to urgently look at reopening the contact centre and prevent this digital divide.”

Green councillor for Hillhead, Martha Wardrop, said: “The return of bulk uplifts is welcome but there needs to be a service which all residents can use. Reinstating a telephone service should be a priority.

“Importantly, the council must also bring its plans for bulk uplift before councillors for proper scrutiny. Many recent changes to waste collections have been pushed through without proper transparency.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “Unfortunately restrictions intended to limit the spread of Covid-19 have affected our capacity to receive bulk-uplift requests by phone.

“There are currently limits on the number of staff that can be safely within office spaces and available resources are being targeted at critical welfare services such as the Scottish Welfare Fund and payments for free school meals. But we are hopeful that a phone service for bulk uplift requests will become available in the early part of next year.

“We have received over 4500 online requests for collections of large or bulky items since it began on December 10 and we are currently working our way through those requests.

"We fully appreciate that not everyone has direct access to a vehicle, but our waste centres are open seven days a week to receive a wide range of waste. There are also other options for arranging uplifts, such as the National Re-use tool, which provides a directory of organisations that collect re-usable items for free.”