DUMPED rubbish which caused a “real flood risk” has now been cleared - at a cost of thousands of pounds to taxpayers.

A series of culverts run underneath Southend to allow water to pass underneath and act as an overflow when it is raining. 

However, there are certain pinch-points where debris swept along by heavy rainfall can collect and get stuck - creating a flood risk. 

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One recent incident underneath the A127, where Prittlebrook Greenway crosses Victoria Avenue, cost Southend Council £15,000 and took four days to clean up.

Dumped rubbish along with natural debris had completely blocked the tunnel.

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Alongside leaves and branches, the council also found a dead cat, trolleys and mattresses.

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for public protection, said: “I think it is awfully sad that some poor owner could be missing their pet cat and it has been stuck in this blockage.

“It does to show the true cost of flytipping and how dumping rubbish instead of disposing of it properly, has a knock-on effect.

“It would take longer for the natural debris, tree branches, and leaves to collect and create blockages if the mattresses and trollies hadn’t also been there.

“Aside from the flooding risk this blockage caused, an innocent animal has died, and it has cost the taxpayer tens of thousands of pounds to fix.

“Some of the engineers at the council have carried out this sort of work for many years and none of them had seen a blockage like this - it really is quite incredible it got this bad.”

As a result of this blocked culvert, the engineering teams at Southend Council has increased their inspection regime so that problems and blockages can be found sooner.

Mr Terry added: “Residents can also do their bit.

“If you see rubbish in the Prittlewell Brook, whether a tree branch, or a trolley, please report it on My Southend.

“And please dispose of your rubbish responsibly; there is no excuse for flytipping and, if caught, we will prosecute.”