CONTROVERSIAL changes to waste collection in Colchester have been criticised in the House of Commons.

Changes to the way rubbish and recycling are collected in the borough came into force in June with Colchester Council only taking black sacks fortnightly and some households being given wheelie bins.

During a session in the House of Commons, Colchester MP Will Quince said the council had been ignoring residents’ concerns about the new system and asked House leader Andrea Leadsom to arrange a debate on the matter.

The Tory said: “Colchester’s Lib Dem and Labour run borough council has recently introduced a very unpopular fortnightly black bag collection scheme which is leaving my residents to deal with rats, other vermin and flies and maggots.

“It is totally unacceptable.

“Will my right honourable friend allow a govern timed debate to discuss where local councils ignore the wishes of residents and fail to address their concerns?”

Mrs Leadsom said in her experience, waste was a key issue for residents.

She added: “I think it is interesting how as an ex-secretary of state for the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs how litter is always one of the biggest concerns of everybody in our country.

“Litter is right up there and what happens to it is a vital issue.

“Regular litter collections are incredibly important and my honourable friend will take every chance to raise that with the Department for Communities and Local Government.”

Council leader Paul Smith has hit back at Will Quince, claiming he should be talking up Colchester in the House of Commons.

The Liberal Democrat said: "He should not be rubbishing Colchester to make political points.

"We went through an extensive consultation and asked ward councillors whether they though the areas they represent should have wheelie bins.

"That is giving real power to local communities."

Mr Smith said the changes had been vindicated with food waste and recycling going up, and landfill waste dropping.

He added: "Chelmsford Council introduced a similar system in February and their leader said there were teething problems but now everybody is enjoying it.

"We are also on that path."