A contractor could be fined for delays in delivering thousands of new recycling bins to homes across Barnet.

SSI Schaefer was handed the £340,000 contract to distribute 330,000 containers in time for the introduction of Barnet Council’s new in-house recycling system, which took place on Monday.

The logistics firm began sending out the blue and brown bins four weeks ago but Barnet Council revealed today that more than 5,000 homes had still not received them.

Now the local authority says it is looking at the possibility of enforcing financial penalties on the firm.

A spokesman said: “There are financial penalties included in the contract which relate to them meeting the delivery schedule.

“We are not taking any action at the moment but it is something we will consider.”