CALLS are being made for changes at recycling centres after a huge pile of waste was fly-tipped in Southend.

The rubbish pile was spotted in Fossetts Way, Southend - linking the area near Waitrose with Sutton Road - sparking anger in the community.

Alex Bright, Tory shadow councillor for the environment, said changes must be made to recycling centres to help prevent rubbish being dumped.

He said: “It’s worth exploring being more liberal with our tips. It is a difficult one because we don’t want businesses to use our recycling centres, they should be paying to dispose of their waste.

“I know there are restrictions at our recycling centres for some kinds of vehicles, but changing things could help this issue.

“I was driving past and saw it and stopped and took pictures and reported it to the council.

“It is shocking and not something you expect to see when driving along.

“It is also quite dangerous as well, as there were bits of metal and wood sticking out of the pile.

“You could see that other drivers were just as disgusted.

“It is not something that we should have to put up with.

“I know this is an issue across the country.

“I have raised the issue with the council and thankfully we do have a really good environmental health team.

“Obviously more work is needed to help stop and prevent this.”

He took to social media to talk about the incident and posted pictures of the dumped waste there.

It has caused fury online from residents and some joined Mr Bright’s calls for change.

One posted: “If the council stopped charging people with vans then maybe they would dispose of the rubbish in the correct manner. I don’t know who is responsible for these decisions but they often get them wrong. I would turn that philosophy on its head and pay people to bring their rubbish in. Van drivers would go out and collect rubbish from the streets for the council.”

Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “This particular incident of fly-tipping was reported and cleared swiftly over the weekend by our rapid response team, which shows how effective reporting such incidents via MySouthend is.

“Fly-tipping is an inconsiderate criminal offence and with a range of options available to recycle and dispose of household waste legally, and with businesses having a legal duty of care to ensure they dispose of commercial waste correctly, there really is no excuse for fly-tipping.

“Vans and commercial-type vehicles can dispose of household waste at either of our household waste recycling centres (HWRC) between 12pm and 4pm on Sundays.  However it is important to stress that this must be household waste and not commercial waste – it is illegal to dispose of business waste at a HWRC.

“We would encourage residents to help us catch those responsible by reporting any information to us about this incident by calling 01702 215006. If you spot any waste fly-tipped across the borough, please report this using MySouthend at www.southend.gov.uk/mysouthend.”

Full information is available online at www.southend.gov.uk/HWRC.