Witham flats bins left unemptied for more than three weeks

Roy Corbett, who lives at Cullen Mills in Braintree Road, said residents had previously requested an additional general waste bin, which was eventually provided.

While he said the extra bin helped ease pressure on general waste collections, he claimed recycling remained an issue because the flats still had only one recycling bin.

However, Mr Corbett said the improvement was short-lived, alleging that neither the new general waste bin nor the recycling bins were emptied for several weeks.

"It was one step forward and one step back," he said.

Mr Corbett warned the overflowing bins had become "a magnet for fly-tipping".

"It's not just people in the flats, it's people from around the area," he said.

He added that a private company had voluntarily cleared fly-tipped waste outside the flats on the previous two Fridays.

Complaint - Residents requested the new black bin but were dismayed that it and their recycling bins were not emptied for weeks (Image: Claudia Bradley, Newsquest)

Large furniture packaging boxes had also been dumped at the site. The boxes had not been broken down and were about nine feet high, which Mr Corbett considered a fire risk.

Mr Corbett said he had repeatedly contacted Braintree Council’s recycling department, but had not received a response.

Mr Corbett said: “I have consistently phoned them up and told them the problem. What annoys me is that the council themselves are jut not responding.”

A Braintree Council spokesperson said the council was aware of the concerns over the flats' communal bins.

“Our records show that collection crews have attended the site and correctly reported issues, which prevented waste and recycling from being safely and appropriately collected on some occasions," they said.

"These issues related to the way waste was presented within the communal bin area, including excess waste obstructing access to bins and contamination of recycling materials."

Issue - Residents were concerned the overflowing bins encouraged flytipping (pictured) (Image: Claudia Bradley, Newsquest)

The spokesperson added that in the first instance, the management of waste storage areas is the responsibility of the managing agent.

They added the council has worked with the managing agent to help address the issues identified.

“Residents also have an important role to play by ensuring waste and recycling is placed in the correct containers and that access to bins is kept clear," the council spokesperson said.

"This helps our crews to collect materials safely and efficiently.

“The council will continue to work with the managing agent and residents to support the effective management of waste and recycling facilities at the site.”