Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is installing more than 120 new solar-powered litter bins across the borough.

Capable of holding at least five times more than traditional litter bins, these Big Belly Bins will need emptying less often – helping the Council to improve its environmental and financial sustainability.

Using solar power, the smart bins compact the waste inside and send an alert to the borough’s Cleansing team so they can be emptied only when needed and before they become full. With fewer journeys being necessary, the Council will reduce its fuel costs and pollution and free up time for the Cleansing team to focus on other work, such as clearing up fly tips and graffiti.

Cllr Hannah Avery, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “We’re taking litter seriously and our new solar-powered bins, including eight recycling bins, will make it easier for people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly and help keep Reigate & Banstead litter free and looking good.

“Not only will these smart, solar-powered bins help us to reduce our carbon footprint, but they’ll look smart too: some will have eye-catching designs to celebrate the borough and some will be particularly hungry creatures that may even thank you in person for feeding them. There really will be no excuse for dropping litter in the borough.”

Over the next two weeks, new bins will be popping up in areas of high footfall, such as town centres, and older bins will be removed to avoid street clutter. Some of the new bins will be colourful designs showcasing local attractions and others will be more classic in style.

Nine of the new bins will be able to talk back, so listen out for the big-bellied monsters outside schools, the sea creatures in Lady Neville Park playground, and the new penguin in Woodhatch Park. The Council is working with local schools near the new talking bins to record messages so you may even recognise them.

Recycling bins in the busiest town centre locations will allow people to dispose of plastic, cans and bottles in a more environmentally sustainable way. The recycled waste can be transformed into materials for new products and will reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill.

The new bins, provided and installed by Future Street, have been funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which is a charge on new development to help fund the infrastructure needed to support new homes and businesses.

A man has been jailed for a series of planned robberies in Crawley.

It was heard that Erasmus Darkwah would either find his victim or meet someone known to him in an alley way off Northgate Road and threaten them with a smashed glass bottle.

On 14 April, a man in his 30s used the alleyway as a shortcut when he was met with Darkwah. He stole his phone.

On 15 April and 27 May, Darkwah arranged to met two men in their 40s and 50s respectively via a dating app. When he met them both, he took them down the same alley off Northgate Road, threatened them with a bottle, and stole their phones.

Similarly, on 2 June, a man in his 20s was walking down the alley when Darkwah threatened him and demanded his phone. The victim managed to escape without handing over any property.

On 3 June, Darkwah, 29, of Northgate Road, Crawley was arrested and later charged with three counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery.

He pleaded guilty to all four charges at [Lewes Crown Court?] on 15 August.

On 15 November, he was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment when he appeared before Lewes Crown Court.

Detective Inspector Martin Drabble said: “This pattern of incidents was concerning for the community and it was vital that teams across the county worked hard to secure charges for Darkwah.

“I am glad the sentence reflects the harm he caused to his victims. To put your trust into someone, only for them to rob and threaten you, is shocking.

“This sentence should also act as a deterrent for potential offenders and to show that we will investigate and put you before the courts.” 

More than 100,000 diagnostic tests have been delivered in 18 months at Crawley Hospital following the expansion of community diagnostic services (CDCs) at the site. 

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust’s diagnostic services were first expanded in April last year as part of a national NHS programme to increase community access to care.  It is one of 165 CDCs open across England.  Tests included in the newly expanded services are MRI and CT scans, x-rays, ultrasounds, and blood and respiratory tests.  A new mammography machine will be introduced from December. 

The final phase of the Crawley CDC project is expected to open in 2026 when the hub will offer patients a 12 hour service, six days a week.