HOMELESS people are bedding down in Southend bus station as the town’s rough sleeper crisis continues.

Travellers complained of sharing the town centre travel centre with rough sleepers and being unable to get a seat while waiting for buses.

The news came just a day after residents complained of a “shanty town”

in Westcliff, with people camping in disused garages off Ceylon Road, Westcliff.

Southend Council has also served notices formally asking homeless people in five tents in Southend Cliff Gardens, to leave.

One bus passenger, who wanted to remain anonymous, said at 5.30pm there were homeless people settling down for the night.

She said: “They lay out their bedding along the seats and have all their belongings with them. It is even worse in the winter.”

The bus station, maintained by Southend Council, is locked between 10pm and 6am. She added: “It is no longer a nice environment.

This is going on while there are families and older, vulnerable people about. The station is a shambles. It really smells.”

Martin Terry, Southend councillor responsible for public protection, said he was aware of the problem.

He said: “It’s not a very welcoming site for people visiting our town. I am aware a cleaner is present throughout the day and it is locked from 10pm to 6am, but I have asked officers to look further into this issue and what more can be done.”

Mr Terry said the council was offering help and support to homeless people in the station, but some did not want council help.

Gary Turner, of Southend- based homeless charity Harp, said: “They are there because on a rainy day it gives people shelter.

If the person is known to us, they will always be welcome to use our shelter.

“I think if users have concerns they should use the national street link rough sleeping service and report it, that way an outreach service will be able to help the person. We are not there to police people.

We are there to help people and always will."