Kevin Rees, who lives in Tennyson Close, Ponders End, said rubbish is dumped “all along the street” and the problem was “getting steadily worse”.
Household rubbish overflows communal rubbish bins and everything from tyres to mattresses to old sofas can be seen when walking in the area.
As well as reducing residents’ quality of life, Kevin said the sheer amount of rubbish posed a “serious health issue” and affected property values.
Tennyson Close is made up of six residential blocks and Kevin, who lives in one of two blocks owned by Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MVTH), said the problem had been “going on for years” and urged it and the council to “take action”.
Fly-tipping in Tennyson Close, Ponders End. Photo: Kevin Rees
An MTVH spokesperson said the situation was “unacceptable” and admitted the part of the estate they owned was a known “hot spot” for fly-tipping.
The housing association said on Thursday (April 10) that it cleared the rubbish dumped in the area it managed and would continue to monitor the situation.
The spokesperson added: “We are seeking meetings with the other housing providers and the local council as a matter of urgency to ask that they remain vigilant to the issue and take appropriate action where necessary to help to resolve and prevent fly-tipping.”
Waste left illegally in Tennyson Close, Ponders End. Photo: Kevin Rees
Council leader Ergin Erbil said he visited South Street, which neighbours Tennyson Close, as well as the surrounding area to speak to residents who had raised concerns about fly-tipping.
Cllr Erbil said: “I want to reassure all residents that Ponders End and especially the area around Tennyson Close is monitored daily by our waste enforcement officers (Monday to Friday), with extra visits over the weekend. We also have a dedicated street cleaning team that clears fly-tipped rubbish from Monday to Friday, with a smaller team working on weekends. Furthermore, we will be contacting MTVH to discuss these issues.”
He said there was “no excuse” for dumping waste and listed the services the council provided including free bulky waste collection, dedicated street sweeping, recycling centres at Edmonton EcoPark and Barrowell Green, and the council’s website where residents can report fly-tipping.
