Flytipping on Quadriga estate in Colchester concerns residents

Residents on the Quadriga development, in the Christ Church area of Colchester, have been forced to clear up mess caused by black bags being dumped on the estate.

The main area of concern is a bin store which is managed by the Peabody housing association, where black bags are reportedly thrown on the floor and not in the bins provided.

Chris Piggott says it has been an issue on the estate since he bought his family home five years ago.

Rubbish - black bags piled up outside a bin store (Image: Chris Piggott)

It’s had a knock-on effect on other residents because Colchester Council has been unable to collect rubbish correctly placed inside the bin store after the flytipped bags blocked access to the bins.

“It absolutely stunk during the heatwave. There are sanitary towels and nappies on the floor where animals have ripped open the bags. It’s disgusting, and on a really nice estate,” said the Cavalry Road resident.

Peabody eventually collected the rubbish, but Mr Piggott says the collection came two weeks after he reported the issue to the housing association.

The dad-of-one, who is frustrated by a lack of support from Colchester Council, resorted to clearing up the rubbish himself after it re-appeared.

What does Colchester Council say?

Colchester Council defended its position, reiterating the disposal of oversized items left within communal bin stores is the responsibility of the management company.

A spokesman said: “Oversized items left in the bin store can block the bins, which prevents our collection crews from accessing and emptying them safely.

“Our crews have reported this issue several times to the management company, which is responsible for clearing any non-domestic waste, but have struggled to get the issue resolved.”

The council confirmed the area has been cleaned by Peabody meaning crews can now collect bins as usual.

Frustrated - Christ Church resident Chris Piggott (Image: Chris Piggott)

Frustrated Mr Piggott fears black bags will continue to be flytipped on what he describes as a “lovely estate with lots of green space, trees, and fundamentally good neighbours”.

Peabody was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.