Chaos in UK seaside town declared 'bin city' by furious locals

A council's new bin policy has sparked outrage in a seaside town after wheelie bins were dumped in narrow streets, leaving them looking like a "bin city". Residents in Southend, Essex, say they are furious over Southend-on-Sea Council's decision to roll out three new bins per household ahead of changes to rubbish collections next month.

Homes have now been issued with a black bin for general waste, a black bin with a pink lid for glass, plastics and cans, and another black bin with a blue lid for paper and card. Locals claim the council has made the streets more dangerous, harder to park in, and left people with bins they can't even store.

One resident, Amy Heathcote, 36, said: "I think the bins are generally a good idea but it is clear for roads like mine they aren't adequate and a lot of people don't have the storage for them.

"It's frustrating because if the survey carried out by the council was conducted correctly then it would have been obvious to them the properties here weren't suitable."

Retired resident Keith Evans, 66, added: "It has absolutely ruined the street scene in the area.

"We have some lovely quaint, attractive roads and streets and it has made it an eyesore.

"I don't want to walk around and see my town like this. It's also going to be chaos on bin day, the binmen struggle to put the food bins back neatly, never mind these big ones.

"It's not fair that we have to shrug our shoulders and be okay with it."

The council said each property was assessed before being given bins, looking at space, access and whether they could be moved safely.

A fourth green garden waste bin is also available by subscription, replacing the old green sacks.

The new bins replace black sacks for waste, pink sacks for mixed recycling, blue boxes for paper, and green sacks for garden waste.

Councillor Lydia Hyde, cabinet member for climate, environment and waste, said: "We recognise that the move to alternate weekly collections and the introduction of wheeled bins is a significant adjustment for residents.

"We want residents to understand the new scheme and how collections will work, and so we will be providing lots of information and engaging with residents throughout the transition period."

She added: "Reducing black bag waste and increasing recycling rates is vital, so please keep on recycling everything you can, including your food and garden waste."

The council said it would not allow residents to return to using plastic sacks. However, people can appeal the decision if they believe their property is not suitable.

Amy Heathcote said her request to keep sacks had been successful, but Cllr Hyde warned not all appeals would be granted.

She said: "If unsatisfied with the original decision, residents can request a review of their property against the wheeled bin collections criteria."

The new £18 million-a-year waste and street cleaning contract with SUEZ UK was signed in April and will run for eight years.