Residents angry about overflowing bins

Bin bags and other rubbish has been dumped on the ground near the bins

Residents of a block of flats have shared their anger that overflowing communal bins are often being left uncollected.

People living in Deerleap in Bretton, Peterborough, said the bins were a breeding ground for flies and maggots and a health risk, and that the issue had been going on for years.

One resident said she reported the issue “at least three times a month” to management, adding: "It’s a very slow response.”

Hyde Housing Association, which owns the flats, said it understood residents’ frustration and was determined to work with them and Peterborough City Council to resolve the matter.

Richard Stangward, Labour city councillor for Bretton, said he was aware of " the recurring nuisance".

'Maggots and flies everywhere'

“There are a lot of flats - about 60-90 between couple of blocks. The problem starts with people throwing the wrong items in the wrong bins," he said.

“There’s unfortunately no camera or CCTV to monitor this area either."

Residents said they paid £19 a week for service charges but that maintenance of the bins was not dealt with “effectively.”

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “You have overflowing bins, black bin bags, rubbish on the floor.

"It’s not all residents who are responsible for it. A lot of the extra rubbish is being dumped by people who don’t live in the flats.

“The bins are meant to be collected every week. I reported it four times this week alone after [seeing] maggots and flies everywhere."

Piles of rubbish bags have bene left uncollected in the bin storage room at the block of flats in Deerleap, Bretton

A spokesperson for Hyde Housing said it had been visiting regularly, including last week.

“Unfortunately, some rubbish is not being placed in the correct bins, and the council will not collect the bins if this is the case," they said.

"We’re working with customers, including being clear on how the bins need to be used.

“We are looking into the possibility of increasing the number of bins on the block.”

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: "We are keen to work with housing providers and residents across the city to help raise awareness around waste disposal and recycling."