A campaigner passionate about improving living conditions in his community is calling on the council to tackle the rising problem of public urination.

Ronald Payne, 68, claims the alleyway which connects High Road, Leyton, with Goodall Road constantly “stinks of urine” and it has been getting worse in recent months.

The steps which are around the corner from Leyton underground station and bus stops on the high road are used by hundreds of commuters including parents and their children every day.

Mr Payne is fed up of being hit by the stench time and time again and wants Waltham Forest Council to stamp out the problem once and for all by erecting signs or installing CCTV to catch the culprits.

The seasoned campaigner who lives in Elsham Road, Leytonstone, said: “I use this route to go to the shops and to the gym and every time I go there it always stinks of urine.

“It’s disgusting. Something needs to be done.

“There are young children going up there and they are smelling this.

“The council needs to take this seriously and do something to stop this immediately.”

In September 2017 the council approved the introduction of a public spaces protection order (PSPO) which can be enforced by police officers, police community support officers and council officials.

Breaching a PSPO, which includes urinating in a public place, is a criminal offence and could see the perpetrator slapped with a £100 fixed penalty notice or a fine of up to £1,000, if prosecuted.

The order says: “No person shall urinate, defecate, spit or leave litter in a public place. This includes the doorway or alcove of any premises to which the public has access.”

The area around the alleyway appears neglected, with a street bin overflowing and discarded cigarette butts littering the ground.

One local resident who did not wish to be named said he witnessed a man urinating on the steps in broad daylight while another said he had seen a man injecting himself with drugs.

They said it is not uncommon to see broken glass bottles and empty beer cans scattered on the steps while making their way to the station in the morning.

Although the problem has been going on for years, Mr Payne is hopeful his latest fight for change will see some results.

Earlier this year the retired revenue inspector for Transport for London led a successful campaign for barriers to be erected in Leyton Mills Retail Park to prevent cyclists from speeding down a pedestrian pathway.

And in 2016 he was praised by neighbours in his street for leading calls for a controlled parking zone (CPZ) to be introduced to address parking woes.

Cllr Clyde Loakes, Waltham Forest Council deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment, said since the PSPO was introduced the council has issued 108 FPNs for breaches of the PSPO, and three for public urination specifically.

He said: “In areas covered by the PSPO police officers, police community support officers, council officers and persons delegated by the council can enforce the restrictions and issue FPNs. There is visible signage in the area notifying people that it is covered by a PSPO.

“The alleyway in question is currently cleaned twice daily by street cleaning teams. We will arrange for a deep clean of the alley way in the near future – like residents, we want to see clean, safe and green neighbourhoods that everyone can enjoy.”