CONSERVATION activists have been left appalled and disgusted after traffic cones were found to have been dumped in an ecological beauty spot.

The River Colne, which runs through Colchester, is often targeted by litter louts dumping everything from shopping trolleys and timber to plastic and cans.

On Saturday morning, however, shortly after the tide had receded, a horde of traffic cones were discovered discarded and sunken on the river bed.

In images sent to the Gazette, the cones are seen scattered in a section of the waterway stretching from Hythe Station Road to Colne Causeway.

Jus Carroll, 51, who was a Sea Shepherd volunteer for more than nine years and has a degree in marine and freshwater biology, was taken aback by the sight of the cones.

The Hythe resident said: “The river in general is littered with all manner of things, which are visible when the tide goes out.

Gazette:

“However, the sheer amount of traffic cones in one section of the river is appalling – it is disgusting and I believe whoever did this has no care or clue for these things.

“It is pretty shocking and it is such a shame because the river could be something that the whole of Colchester could be proud of.

“I am aware of the detrimental impact anything in the river systems that shouldn't be there can have on the environment, habitat and species.”

Gazette:

Lee Scordis, Colchester councillor for Old Heath and The Hythe, has now said the cones dumped in the river were stolen from Essex Highways.

He said: “The company Essex County Council hired to carry out repair works on the Hythe Station Road bridge said their cones had gone missing so they got some more.

“They also went missing and have now been found in the river, which is really disappointing because the river should be the pride of the city.

“It is sad it is treated with such disrespect because it costs the tax payers money every time it needs to be cleared up – someone people just don’t care.”