THE bins will be put back on Christchurch Quay today after the council performed a U-turn and bowed to residents’ concerns.

The move will come as a surprise to many after the council recently said the bins would only be returned after the summer, in September.

The controversial trial to remove all the litter bins from the Quay started in March, with visitors and residents encouraged to take their rubbish home with them.

And despite evidence of rubbish strewn about the popular beauty spot over the past few months, the council remained resolute, sticking by the trial, and even mooting the idea of rolling it out to other areas.

However, an urgent item was taken to Wednesday’s policy and resources committee by town centre ward councillor Wendy Grace, calling for them to be reinstated.

Cllr Grace said: “While I applaud the council for attempting this trial, the reality is that it was unpopular with local residents and traders.

“I know that the council’s policy and resources committee agreed for the bins to be returned after six months of the trial in September.

“However, with more people likely to use the Quay over the summer months, I requested that the bins be returned now and I am happy that my request has been agreed to.”

Sue Bungey, chairman of Christchurch Citizens Association, said she was delighted.

The group has repeatedly called on the council to reinstate the bins.

“Our question now is, how much has all this cost? And will they will roll this out to other parts of the borough, as they have threatened?

“This is good news for our town, visitors and traders and everyone who uses the area.”

Cllr Margaret Phipps, portfolio holder for the environment, said: “There was actually very little litter left at the Quay during the trial and the people holding events there did exemplary jobs of clearing any litter left after their events.

“Unfortunately, there always seem to be people who leave their litter around whether there are bins available or not.”