ANGRY councillors have hit out at county council bosses for their “dogmatic decision” to keep a recycling centre closed.

Harwich town councillors said they have been “inundated with messages” from residents complaining about flytipping at the alleyway near Albemarle Street, Harwich, and near Dovercourt town centre.

Town and county councillor Ivan Henderson has written repeatedly to Essex County Council environmental boss Simon Walsh calling for the recycling centre in Dovercourt to be re-opened.

He said Bathside is a well-known deprived area which was being targeted.

“The last thing they will want to see is their area turned into a temporary recycling and flytipping area,” he added.

“As shops are reopening, it’s time we harden our pressure on the council.

“This issue is causing a lot of anxiety and anger within residents and people are not happy.

“There’s no excuse not to reopen the sites and let people get rid of rubbish which accumulated over the months.”

Councillor Geoff Smith said he visited sites where rubbish had been dumped including bin bags, a fish tank and nappy bags which had triggered health and safety concerns.

An Essex County Council spokesman said fly-tipping is an issue which impacts the county as a whole, with isolated spots being particularly vulnerable.

He said: “The Bathside area has been prone to flytipping prior to the temporary closure of the recycling centres. There is no evidence that levels have been specifically impacted by the current closure.”

He added the decision to reopen the Dovercourt and Lawford recycling centres was “under review”.

Michael Talbot, Cabinet member for environment at Tendring Council, said: “Throughout Covid-19 we have maintained a full kerbside collection service and the vast majority of households are having no problems.

“We appreciate it has been difficult when recycling centres were closed and with the restrictions now in place, but we wholly support Essex County Council in its decision which protect both the public and staff.”

The nearest recycling centres which are open are in Colchester and Clacton.