A HUGE pile of flytipped waste in Pitsea is repeatedly being set on fire - and enraged residents are demanding action to clear it up.

Dumped rubbish under the A13 was again set on fire last week.

It is understood the flytipped rubbish was first dumped in March by travellers who set up camp in a field in Terminus Drive, Pitsea.

They have since moved on, but the waste remains.

It was also set on fire in July, when it took fire crews 45 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

Residents claims it has been set on fire many more times, and believe children are behind the suspected attacks.

Steve Manly, 33, of Waterville Drive said: “We have made reports to the fire service about the fires and they have attended.

“The fire service has been out at least ten time to put out fires, most recently on August 1.”

Mr Manly went on to say that they have contacted the council about the issue on multiple occasions but said they have only recently acknowledged it.

He added: “My girlfriend and I have made separate complaints to the council.

“We use the route under the A13 to walk our dog, or at least we did until the rubbish was dumped.

“The neighbours have also made complaints to the street care team from what I have been told.

“But it’s been a couple of months since the first report was made and it is still there.

“The rubbish has been there since the travellers left in March.

“The council have said they have not had anything on record until recently about it though.”

However, an argument between Basildon Council and Essex County Highways means there are delays in clearing up the rubbish and so it has been just left there.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said it was only responsible for clearing waste blocking the highway – meaning it is the borough council’s responsibility to clear the rubbish.

However, a Basildon Council spokesman said: “This site has been fenced off since roadworks were undertaken by Essex County Council.

“We are unable to resume cleansing duties until the fencing is removed and the site returned to a standard where we can maintain it again.

“We will continue to work with Essex County Council to resolve the issue.”