Councillor Geoffrey Blunden, portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, said: "With temperatures remaining high and an amber heat-health alert in place, we're starting collections earlier to help protect our crews while they continue delivering this important service. The earlier start times are designed to protect collection crews during the current amber heat alert, allowing them to work in cooler conditions. Residents who normally have early collections may wish to put their bins out the evening before, ideally no earlier than 6pm. "If your collection is delayed, please bear with us and report any missed collection through our website so we can arrange a return visit where operationally possible." Residents are encouraged to report missed bins through the council website to help arrange a return collection as soon as operationally possible.