Anti-fly-tipping fence around bins 'lazy fix'

A resident was left unimpressed after a fence was erected around bins to try and stop fly-tipping and smelly rubbish from building up.

Cross Keys Homes (CKH) put up the metal structure outside the Heltwate block in Bretton, Peterborough, following reports of dumped rubbish.

However, resident Nuno Bastos, who has lived in his first-floor flat since 2015, called it a "lazy fix" and claimed dumped waste at the site had posed a "health risk to the community" for some years, and it smelt so bad he could not open his window.

CKH said it cleared the latest fly-tip at the site and fencing was installed while it worked with the council to find a "suitable long-term resolution".

Bastos added: "I can't open my windows because of the smell, and I've got an infestation of flies.

"While I am glad they finally cleared the mountain of rubbish, these massive metal fences are a terrible, lazy fix.

"They have completely blocked access to the area, including our gas meters. They haven't stopped the fly-tipping but moved it over a few feet and created a brand-new safety hazard."

Richard Stangward, Labour Councillor for Bretton, said CKH had shown "very little interest" in resolving the issue.

"Other people from outside the flats are putting rubbish in the bins, so they're filling up a lot quicker," he said.

"But it's an issue that isn't going to go away until we actually come up with a permanent solution - maybe build a proper cage around the bins and give controlled access to residents only."

Last year, residents said they were "fed up" with what they described as erratic refuse collections.

Peterborough City Council (PCC), which is responsible for rubbish collections, said the problem stemmed from repeated breakdowns of the specialist vehicle used to empty underground bins at the flats.

A spokesperson from CKH said they "understood" residents' frustration.

"We are already in discussions with PCC about finding a suitable long-term resolution as quickly as possible. We will make sure residents are consulted with and kept up to date throughout", they added.

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