Residents of the Weavers Quarter estate in Barking have been dealing with a troublesome vermin infestation for months due to a lorry bin emptying issue by the council. The estate, which was completed only five years ago as part of the redevelopment of the Gascoigne estate, has been plagued by massive piles of rubbish covering the pavements outside homes. This has caused the area to stink and attract flies and vermin, making it unbearable for those living in the area.
Residents have raised concerns about irregular rubbish collections and the effectiveness of the estate’s new underground bins, designed to minimize mess and save space. Unfortunately, the bins do not seem to be practical in this area, and the council’s refuse teams are not equipped to empty them efficiently. Matthias Beirens, a resident of Weavers Quarter, expressed frustration with the situation, stating that the new bins do not work effectively and criticizing the council for not finding a reasonable solution to the problem.
The issue has escalated to the point where residents have reported seeing mice on the fourth floor of their building, highlighting the severity of the vermin infestation caused by the uncollected rubbish. Mr. Beirens emphasized that the problem becomes unbearable on hot days during the summer when the temperature rises, exacerbating the stench and attracting more pests to the area.
The Barking and Dagenham Council acknowledged the operational challenges with the underground bin system, as a special type of vehicle is required to empty the waste. As a temporary solution, the council provided residents with Euro bins that are emptied daily to address the immediate issue. However, this does not solve the underlying problem of the inefficient waste management system on the estate.
In an effort to combat the rubbish problem, the council introduced a CCTV ‘wall of shame’ last year to deter individuals from dumping rubbish improperly. The initiative aimed to identify culprits who were not using the underground bin system correctly and potentially catching non-residents dumping their waste in the area. However, some residents, including housing campaigner Matt Lismore, criticized the council’s approach and accused them of showing contempt for the residents.
Despite the council’s efforts to address the issue, residents like Matt Lismore feel that they have been ignored and dismissed throughout the process. Lismore expressed frustration with the lack of action taken by the council, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by residents in dealing with the stench of rotting garbage and the constant presence of vermin in their homes.
The council spokesperson acknowledged the challenges posed by the unique requirements of the underground refuse system and assured residents that efforts were being made to improve waste collections on the estate. In the coming weeks, the council plans to provide more information and engage with residents to understand their concerns and address any barriers to using the bins effectively.
Overall, the residents of Weavers Quarter in Barking continue to face a significant vermin infestation due to the council’s lorry bin emptying issue. Despite efforts to provide temporary solutions, the underlying problem of inefficient waste management remains unresolved, leaving residents frustrated and desperate for a long-term solution to the ongoing rubbish problem plaguing their estate.
