A fly-tipping hotspot is being filled with rubbish just days after the area is cleaned.
The former Police Station in Waltham Abbey has been targeted by fly-tippers with mounds of bin bags and household items pilling up on the site.
Epping Forest District Green party councillor Dave Plummer says the spot outside the former police station in Sun Street – still owned by Essex Police – is filled with rubbish almost as soon as it is cleared.
“It is a persistent problem. It gets cleared and it just comes back again”, Cllr Plummer explained.
Hi @EssexPoliceUK, this is outside the former Sun Street Police Station. In the past I’ve reported it to @eppingforestdc but the land is owned by yourselves.
— Cllr Dave Plummer - Waltham Abbey Greens 🌍 (@GreenDaveP) July 6, 2020
The sign on the wall says it’s covered by CCTV; you might be able to identify the culprits#walthamabbey @CllrHelenKane pic.twitter.com/gjy7uyLYOi
“The district council have cleared it up in the past but its really not their responsibility, its Essex Police’s as its their land.
“Every time I report it, it does get cleaned eventually but it just comes straight back again. I would like to say one of the problems, and this is no excuse for it, is we are too lax with property developers when they want to build flats, and they just don’t provide enough space for people to leave their rubbish and recycling.
No sooner is it cleared than it’s filling up again.#SunStreet is at the heart of our Town Centre. This fly tipping is ignorant & an insult to our residents, visitors, small businesses and heritage.
— Cllr Dave Plummer - Waltham Abbey Greens 🌍 (@GreenDaveP) July 10, 2020
Cc @CllrHelenKane @EssexPoliceUK @epping_guardian @eppingforestdc #walthamabbey pic.twitter.com/2RMm2bn0Qy
Cllr Plummer says he is not sure when the issue began but feels it has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and the closure of recycling centres.
He said: “The recycling centres being closed over lockdown hasn’t helped, but it has been a problem long before that.
“The main message in all of this is people shouldn’t be dumping their rubbish in the street. There is no excuse for it. There may be reasons, but they are not an excuse for doing it.”
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “We have made enquiries today to get the site clear and secure and we continue to discuss the issue of fly-tipping with Epping Forest District Council.”
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