FOLLOWING publication of shocking footage and expressions of anger from town traders, Thurrock Council acted quickly today to clean up a Grays alley which was overflowing with rubbish.

A statement from the council this evening said: "Environment enforcement officers visited the alleyway this morning (Thursday, 14 May) to investigate the fly-tipped waste, as officers do with all fly-tips.

"Officers also engaged with local businesses to remind them of their responsibilities to properly dispose of their waste. Where evidence is found linking any of the waste fly-tipped at this location to any person or business fines will be issued.

"Officers have already given a fine to one person who attempted to add waste to the fly-tip while they were carrying out their investigation at the scene.

"As is the case with all fly-tips on council owned land once the investigation has been completed and any evidence identified and logged the waste will be removed and disposed of properly.

"Fly-tipping is a selfish and disgusting crime that causes blight in the borough and impacts the lives of residents living in the areas targeted by fly-tippers and of businesses operating in areas that fly-tipping takes place. The council urges anyone who sees fly-tipped waste to report it to us straight away. Fly-tipped waste can be reported online at: thurrock.gov.uk/fly-tipping

"All businesses that produce waste must, by law, have appropriate arrangements for storing, transportion and disposing of any waste coming from their premises. Thurrock Council offers a professional commercial business waste collection service that businesses can pay to take away their trade waste.

"Alternatively businesses can engage a commercial service as long as they are properly licensed to carry and dispose of waste. Thurrock Council's Trade Waste collections take place weekly and all collections for those businesses that contract with Thurrock Council took place as scheduled.

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"It is the responsibility of businesses to make sure that they have appropriate disposal and collection services to deal with the waste they produce, including having the appropriate number of bins to manage their waste."