WARD councillors in Grays have asked for a relaxation of council rules in the town so that teams of council workers can clean up alleyways that have been affected a spate of recent fly-tipping.

The problem has been particularly bad in the Grays Riverside ward where local councillors Martin Kerin, Jane Pothecary and Tony Fish says something has to be done.

Alleys off Parker Road and Bradbourne Road have been badly affected.

Cllr Kerin says: "We are increasingly concerned about the increase in fly tipping in the alleyways of our ward.

"We understand the Council's position on this in normal times - it has a policy of no alleyway clearances. In normal times, the three of us would usually arrange a community clearance. However, with Covid, this isn't a good idea at present.

"Therefore, we are urging the Council to temporarily suspend their policy of not clearing alleyways. We are worried about the state we could find ourselves in if the fly tipping is left to fester."