NEIGHBOURS who were left with rotting rubbish outside their homes for more than a month have slammed the council for failing to clear it.
The waste sat untouched in Wilton Road, Redhill, for nearly five weeks while a dispute raged over who was responsible for clearing it.
According to those who live on the small private road, the waste appeared at the beginning of December. They hoped council bin men would clear it on their rounds over Christmas, but this did not happen.
"It's like being in Calcutta," said Simon Kemp, who lives in Wilton Road. "I called the council to say there's rubbish all over the ground but when I called them they said 'it's your dustbin so it's your responsibility'. But the council collect the rubbish.
"I do think it's the council's responsibility, because every person pays council tax and what is that for?"
"I've chatted to some of the neighbours and some of them have complained to the council many times."
According to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council the delay in removing the rubbish occurred because the land is owned by a private management company.
Richard Dewar, outreach manager for Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, said: "As this is a privately-owned development, it is the management company's responsibility to keep the area tidy rather than the council. I have conducted a Land Registry search to ascertain the managing agent's details.
"Once we have received them, I will write and request they clear the land concerned."
The Mirror contacted the owner of the building connected with the land, who claimed that no complaints had been made. He added the rubbish had now been cleared up, and had been done so at the earliest opportunity.
