RESIDENTS and councillors have slammed overflowing bins and dropped litter across Canvey.

Outraged parents were shocked to see the state of the children’s area at Waterside, off Church Parade, on Tuesday, with smashed glass and litter around the full bins.

Castle Point Council has placed the blame on changes to the “street cleansing” process, admitting there are teething issues.

But one councillor has spoken out urging the street cleaning contractor to do more on the island.

Janice Payne, borough councillor for Canvey Island South, said: “It is quite a shame when the parks and public spaces end up looking like this.

“It is a horrible shame that some people cannot respect other people who use the area.

“A large amount of the blame has to go to the residents who make the mess, of course it does, but I do not think the street contractors we as a council hire do enough. “In the past, I have seen them empty the bins but then leave all the rubbish on the floor that hasn’t been put in the bin because it is full.

“What use is that? “There is a lot of civic pride on the island, there is no doubt about that, but we are being let down by the people who are actually paid to do this.

“If the employees took as much care as the volunteers, we would not have half the problems.”

Just yesterday, the Echo reported on residents disappointment and frustration at the state of St Katherine’s cemetery.

Residents slammed the overgrown grass and litter scattered across graves, with members of a volunteer group which monitors the graveyards stating they felt unsupported by the council.

A Castle Point Council spokesman said: “Castle Point Council’s Street Cleansing contractor has made changes to its street cleansing processes and there have been some issues whilst the process beds in.

“The council is working with the contractor to ensure these issues are kept to a minimum.

“We would encourage the public to report full bins and any other street litter issues they come across directly to the council.” Report issues at castlepoint.gov.uk