AN Exmouth pensioner has got the hump and is refusing to recycle his rubbish – claiming his wife's back is aggravated by the new speed bumps at the Salterton Road centre.

AN Exmouth pensioner has got the hump and is refusing to recycle his rubbish - claiming his wife's back is aggravated by the new speed bumps at the Salterton Road centre.

Derek Northfield, 67, of Stevenstone Road, said he and his wife, Thelma, 64, who married 53 years ago, have been forced to stop their regular visits to the Knowle Hill centre since the installation of new traffic calming measures.

Mr Northfield said the complex of flats where he lives with his wife does not receive any recycling collection from the authorities.

He believes he is among a group of people boycotting the recycling since the addition of the new humps.

Devon County Council said the new speed humps had been introduced, slowing traffic to 10mph, to safeguard staff and visitors at the site.

East Devon District Council said everyone in Exmouth and East Devon received a recycling collection - and appealed for Mr Northfield to get in touch if his needs were not being met.

A district council spokeswoman said recycling and waste officers were keen to hear any complaints, and carry out inspections where further services were required.

She said: "I can guarantee someone will speak to him and help him out."

Mr Northfield said five ramps had been installed - making the life of his wife, who uses a stick and walking frame to get around, a misery.

He said: "We don't go there any more. We put the recycling in the bin.

"We won't go back up there unless they change the ramps. I don't want to damage my car."

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