A mountain of refuse has been left to pile up outside a block of flats after bins were left uncollected for weeks on end.

Concerned residents on John Mace Road in Berechurch have been left nonplussed after rubbish was left to pile high outside their block of flats – with the bins last collected well before Christmas.

Labour councillor for Berechurch, David Harris, said he was left very unhappy by the amount of waste that had been allowed to build up.

He said responsibility had to be taken by both Colchester Council’s recycling and rubbish team, as well as the management operators in charge of the block of flats, Peabody, to clear up the mess.

He said: “There’s a volume of loose rubbish that has been stacked around all the rubbish bags.

“The collection team from the council can’t get to the actual bins themselves for all the rubbish sacks.”

The concerns had only been raised to him by residents over a week ago after the situation became unbearable.

Gazette: Mountain – it has been over a month since rubbish was last collected from a block of flats on John Mace RoadMountain – it has been over a month since rubbish was last collected from a block of flats on John Mace Road

“I wish I had been told about this earlier – but the fact is the rubbish hasn’t been collected for five weeks now.

“Environmental protection has said that if the bin area is not cleared up then they will have to take formal action against Peabody.”

Residents have said they have contacted both Peabody and Colchester Council about the matter, with nothing having been done.

“For me as a councillor, I’m not impressed with this at all,” Councillor Harris said.

“It’s disgraceful that they have been left in that situation.

“The residents pay rent to live in a block of flats, so they deserve a service.”

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A spokesman from Colchester Council said: “We are aware of ongoing issues in John Mace Road, having been prevented on several occasions, since December, from emptying the bins due to a suspected fly-tip.

“This has been causing problems for residents and for our collection crews and has been raised with the management company responsible for the flats.

“Unfortunately, as this is private property, the council’s powers are limited."

The spokesman added Peabody had until Monday to clear the area before further action was taken.