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4 January 2011
Last updated at 05:38 ET
The leader of Exeter City Council has said having piles of uncollected rubbish in parts of the city was not a "major problem".
Councillor Pete Edwards told the BBC the build-up was caused by a combination of the icy weather and the Christmas holiday.
A normal rubbish collection service is not expected to resume until 24 January.
A council meeting to discuss the situation is due to take place later.
Speaking on BBC Radio Devon's breakfast programme, Mr Edwards said: "Every day the bin lorries could have been out they have been out."
He also said the Labour-led council did not believe it was necessary for refuse collectors to work on Christmas bank holidays.
Blocked alleyways "I do not see it as a major problem," he added.
He said refuse could not have been collected on the bank holidays because rubbish tips were not open to dispose of waste.
The leader of the council's Conservative group, Yolanda Henson, said she believed an emergency meeting with senior council officers should have been held last week.
Some people in Exeter have not had their refuse collected since 8 December, leading to a build-up of bags on pavements and some blocked alleyways.
Rebecca Bradbury, who lives in the St James area of Exeter, said: "The abject lack of communication from [the council] has meant that we don't know what's going on.
"Apart from the fact the rubbish looks disgusting, there is the health risk and the risk of animals getting into it."
On Monday the city's mayor Marcel Choules said the cleansing department was bringing in extra staff to clean up the city.
Are you still waiting for the bins to be collected in your area? How long has it been since your last collection? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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Councillor Pete Edwards told the BBC the build-up was caused by a combination of the icy weather and the Christmas holiday.
A normal rubbish collection service is not expected to resume until 24 January.
A council meeting to discuss the situation is due to take place later.
Speaking on BBC Radio Devon's breakfast programme, Mr Edwards said: "Every day the bin lorries could have been out they have been out."
He also said the Labour-led council did not believe it was necessary for refuse collectors to work on Christmas bank holidays.
Blocked alleyways "I do not see it as a major problem," he added.
He said refuse could not have been collected on the bank holidays because rubbish tips were not open to dispose of waste.
The leader of the council's Conservative group, Yolanda Henson, said she believed an emergency meeting with senior council officers should have been held last week.
Some people in Exeter have not had their refuse collected since 8 December, leading to a build-up of bags on pavements and some blocked alleyways.
Rebecca Bradbury, who lives in the St James area of Exeter, said: "The abject lack of communication from [the council] has meant that we don't know what's going on.
"Apart from the fact the rubbish looks disgusting, there is the health risk and the risk of animals getting into it."
On Monday the city's mayor Marcel Choules said the cleansing department was bringing in extra staff to clean up the city.
Are you still waiting for the bins to be collected in your area? How long has it been since your last collection? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions
Online Business Consulting | Internet Business Consulting