Community 'delighted' after bins installed in service road blighted by rubbish

Borehamwood Labour town councillor Prabhakar Kaza has been campaigning with residents for a solution to the problem behind the parade of shops in Manor Way.

Cllr Kaza said: "It had become horrible, totally unacceptable. It has become popular for fly-tipping such as cots and mattresses, and there has been no where for people in the area to put their rubbish."

Last week, Cllr Kaza said Hertsmere Borough Council had agreed to install four community bins in the affected street and enhance CCTV in the area.

Two of the four new community bins. Credit: Cllr Prabhakar Kaza

Cllr Kaza said: "For a generation, residents in the Manor Way shopping parade buildings have lived without community bins.

"After several rounds of discussions and public support, I'm happy to inform that four bins have arrived.

"One lady who lived there for ten years had tears in her eyes and said that now they will be going from filthy living to healthy living. The residents are delighted."

The council says the road in question is privately owned and the responsibility to clear it and keep it clear lies with the landowners - but the council does have a responsibility to ensure those responsible take action to avoid any public health hazard.

Dumped rubbish in the Manor Way service road. Credit: Cllr Prabhakar Kaza

Environment councillor Seamus Quilty said: "Hertsmere Borough Council is keen to work with our communities and other organisations to tackle the blight of fly-tipping in our borough.

"In the absence of action from landlords, we have supplied new bins so residents can dispose of their waste. We have written to all tenants and provided a leaflet on how to use the bins and dispose of their rubbish correctly, as well as reminded local businesses of the need to have trade waste disposal services in place.

"Our environmental health team alongside Hertsmere Community Safety Partnership will be installing CCTV in the service road to deter future fly-tipping."

Two more of the community bins provided by Hertsmere Borough Council. Credit: Cllr Prabhakar Kaza

The senior Conservative politician added: "We would encourage anyone with information about people dumping waste in the Manor Road service area, or anywhere in Hertsmere, to contact the council. Any information received will be treated in strict confidence."