RUBBISH and grass cuttings are still being dumped in Canvey’s dykes, despite warnings it can interfere with the island’s drainage system.

The Environment Agency urged residents not to dump debris in the dykes, after a build-up caused five pumps to break down last month.

A worker was sent out to the May Avenue pumping station to clear debris following yesterday morning’sdownpour.

Brian Staines’s garden in San Remo Road often floods as a result of a backlog in the dykes.

He said: “The rain lasted for half-an-hour. If it had lasted longer it would have caused problems.

“The grilles are covered in rubbish and the water was only trickling through.”

The Echo reported Mr Staines’s concerns last month and calls from councillors and the Environment Agency for the public to stop dumping rubbish.

Mr Staines, 72, added: “When the Echo reported it before, I thought it would shame people into not dumping rubbish and it has improved slightly.

“But there was still two foot of water in the dyke on Tuesday morning. It’s the same old story.

“The Environment Agency claim it clears them every day, but if you saw the amount of rubbish in the ditch during the past week or so, you would know they’re not clearing them.

“It’s been going on too long.”

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said the pumping system had performed satisfactorily yesterday morning.

She said: “We went out to the May Avenue pumping station.

“Fly tipping and rubbish is a constant challenge, but we can’t be constantly clearing it.”