FAILINGS in the way Kier Street Services operate are continuing to be reported by disgusted residents and workers fed up with the mess piling up in their streets.

Michael Webb, 65, of Green Pond Close, off Green Pond Road, Higham Hill, said: “After street sweepers had come along, they bagged up the rubbish and put it in piles. I thought it would be collected later that day, but it didn’t happen.”

The bags were then left for more than a week, Mr Webb said.

Workers at Forward Group, Buckland Road, Leyton, have told a similar story of rubbish going uncollected for long periods of time, and piling up in the street.

Householders in Chester Road, Walthamstow, said street cleaners were doing an “inconsistent” job at best.

Daren Willoughby, 38, chief executive of a property management company and Chester Road Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator, said: “One Sunday afternoon, a few weeks ago, all the residents came out in the street and swept it and cleaned it themselves.”

They have petitioned the council to act on these shortcomings and have even contemplated going on a council tax strike.

IN a furious e-mail, a frustrated councillor has joined the chorus of community anger over the standard of street cleaning since Kier took over the contract at the beginning of June.

Cabinet member Geraldine Reardon was responding to a complaint from James Pitman, chairman of the Winns Terrace Residents’ Association, in Walthamstow.

He is angry with Keir over the fact that overflowing street bins close to Lloyd Park are being emptied only fortnightly and the street is not being swept regularly.

Cllr Reardon wrote back to him: “This is a very badly run service.

“Adam (fellow ward Cllr Gladstone) and I have made our views known time and again and have constantly asked about this area with higher than average pedestrian traffic, a busy sweet shop, a lot of children and people often in a party mood.

“We have asked to have the small bins returned. They have not been.

“Short of joining the cleaning staff ourselves, I don't know what else we can do.

“You are right. It is vile and disgusting and I too am fed up with being fobbed off by Bob Belam. Perhaps if his road was this filthy, it would be a different story.”

The Guardian has left messages asking Cllr Reardon to contact us, but with no response.

The problem of filthy streets in the borough have been addressed by Cllr Bob Belam in a statement given after numerous complaints were made about Kier Street Services.

Mr Belam, Cabinet member for environment, said: “We are keeping a close eye on Kier’s progress and possess the power to have the streets re-swept if their work is not up to the rigorous standards expected of them.

“I can assure residents that no part of the borough will be ignored or passed over in our efforts to make Waltham Forest a cleaner place.

“I would like to take this opportunity to ask residents and business owners to deal with their rubbish responsibly and remind them that, should evidence be found that they are illegally dumping refuse or abusing the trade waste system, appropriate action will be taken against them.

“I would urge residents to contact WFD on 8496 3000 if they are unhappy with the quality of the cleaning in their area and we will work to resolve their concerns as quickly as possible.”

Promises have also been made to take action with regard to the complaints received by the Guardian.

* Send reports about your street and photographs if you can to chack@london.newsquest.co.uk.