Residents on an estate claim they are plagued by vermin as some council refuse lorries are not equipped to empty new bins on their streets.
People living in Weavers Quarter, in Barking, are fed up with the huge piles of rubbish covering the pavements outside their homes. They claim they have faced irregular rubbish collections and, despite the estate's new underground bins being designed to minimise mess, hold more rubbish and save space, some lorries are not equipped to empty them.
Resident Matthias Beirens told MyLondon : "There is clearly a massive failure with this new type of bin, it just doesn't seem to work in this area. The council can see that now but they don't really care because they'll install the exact same bins [elsewhere] rather than looking for a reasonable solution. It's like you're talking against a wall.
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“The problem is I can see it from my balcony, when they come they only come for the bins so they actually leave all that trash behind [on the pavement]. They empty the bins and then they're off again."
He added residents found mice on the fourth floor of their building because of the rubbish in the streets. Last year Barking and Dagenham Council claimed some residents were not using the underground bin system correctly. They added there was also the chance those who do not live on the estate were dumping their rubbish there.
A council spokesperson said the council had experienced some 'operational challenges' with the underground bin system as a special type of vehicle is needed to empty the waste. They added: Within parts of the Gascoigne Estate there is an Underground Refuse System (URS), which involves a smaller bin entrance on the surface, with a larger container hidden underground.
"These containers require a specialist vehicle to empty waste. This is a new type of waste management system and we have experienced some operational challenges due to its unique requirements, but we have been working hard to ensure waste collections take place. “We are also providing extra Euro bins for residents to dispose of their waste and these are being emptied daily as a short term solution.
“In the coming weeks, the council and managing agents will be providing further information and carrying out engagement sessions with residents to understand barriers to using the bins and to address any concerns. Together with the managing agents, we want to reassure residents that we're doing everything we can to work through issues and we're grateful for everyone's patience at this time.”
