A STREAM is becoming unsafe and a hotbed for flytipping, residents have said.

Work was carried out to reinstate a small stream between Wilson Marriage Road and St Dominic Road in Colchester about a year and a half ago.

Residents in Wilson Marriage Road are upset with the works, by Network Rail and Colchester Council, as they feel they have been neglected.

Jill Mawby, a resident of Wilson Marriage Road, said: "There is a small stream near the public footpath, on the St Dominic Road side there are beautiful railings and there is a cover over the steam, but on our side there is nothing.

"It is a cut through to Parsons Heath as well, the stream should be taped off. Children were actually walking in the stream this weekend.

"Lawn mowers have been dumped in it, as well as washing machines.

"It hasn't been left in a safe way, I have already contacted local councillors about it.

"It annoys me because this side is on a playing field, right next to a recreation ground, and they have just left it in this state."

Network Rail said they did carry out some work in the area, however the piece of land in question is the responsibility of the council.

We contacted the council who said they visited the site last week.

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “Acting on the concerns of local residents, we are in the process of contacting Network Rail as a matter of urgency to discuss how the site can be made safe again, following damage to the wooden fence installed after upgrade work was completed on the culvert.”