RUBBISH piled up outside people's houses is making the area an eyesore, residents have complained.

Epping Forest District Council has asked householders who missed out on refuse collections due to the recent severe weather to leave their waste out as normal.

But in some areas, recycling has not been touched for six weeks and bags are beginning to pile up in the street.

Kendal Avenue, in Epping has been particularly badly affected, as it was closed off by police over the Christmas period due to its dangerously icy nature.

Resident Francis Tennyson, 38, said: “Since the weather there's been no recycling since Christmas. Two or three weeks ago people were crashing on this road so generally speaking you can understand why. We're just waiting to see if it disappears. If it doesn't I won't be able to get into my drive eventually.”

Jackie Goulding, 41, of Kendal Avenue, said: “The truck possibly couldn't get down here. It's a bit confusing as we don't know when it will be taken. It's quite a mess with everyone's bags out.”

Phyl Dillistone, 72, of Kendal Avenue, said: “We haven't had the recycling for six weeks. Last week they didn't take our green bin either. Their excuse is the ice but if one lorry can get through I don't know why the other can't. It's just an eyesore. Everything looks awful.”

A spokeswoman for the district council said: “As we are informed that collections have been missed we will investigate and take appropriate action. We also have officers out in the district, who are checking for missed collections.

“We request residents to continue to put their waste out for collection at the normal place. We are most grateful that our residents continue to bear with us and would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused.

“If any residents are aware of any other missed collections in the district we would be grateful if they could let us know by calling 01992 564608 or emailing erefuse@eppingforestdc.gov.uk."