Piles of rubbish scattered across Brighton amid collection drought

Dozens of bags filled with household waste were piled around a communal bin at the bottom of Guildford Road, Brighton, at the time of writing.

It means people enjoying a pint in nearby pubs or breakfast in cafes across the road were forced to gaze at a festering heap of rubbish.

One resident of Guildford Road told The Argus that seagulls are tearing the bags apart as they scavenge for scraps.

“They’ve started splitting the bags and all the contents will soon be blown all over the area,” said Mark Chevalier.

“The lack of council refuse collection has created the huge pile and rubbish is now on the street and blocking the pavement.”

Mark said the communal bin is normally emptied daily, but that it has been six days since refuse collectors last visited.

Bin bags are now blocking the pavement (Image: Submitted)

“If you’re sat in the pub you’ve got no choice but to see the rubbish and soon there’s going to be the risk of rodents,” said Mark.

“It’s getting worse by the hour as these bins are usually emptied every day.

“Not a good first impression from visitors travelling via Brighton Station to see this ever-increasing pile of rubbish in the street.”

Mark said he was told by Brighton and Hove City Council that the bins had not been emptied due to staff shortages and sickness.

READ MORE: Brighton: Council orders woman to prune lavender plant on pavement

But the problem is now stretching right across the city, with reports of overflowing communal bins in Brunswick Road and Stanford Road.

Councillor Tim Rowkins, chairman of the city environment, South Downs and the sea committee, said: “We’re sorry about the very poor service some residents have experienced recently.

“There have been significant staffing issues due to annual leave and sickness which were then compounded by a sudden issue with the agency that usually supplies us with extra personnel.

“Consequently, we did not have the usual safety net in place to cover shortfalls in staffing. We are working extremely hard to get the outstanding bins collected as a matter of urgency.

“The current situation also sits in the context of a service that has not been adequate for a long time.

“Making significant and lasting improvements to the reliability of our refuse and recycling collections is absolutely the top priority for this administration.

READ MORE: Brighton streets left without bin collections for weeks

“I have been at the depot in Hollingdean every week since being appointed, speaking with staff at every level and understanding the details of how the service works and what the challenges are.

“Some of the issues are complex and will take some time to resolve, but we are determined to deliver the service our residents deserve.”

It comes as people living in Warmdene Close and Manton Road, Brighton, have been left to clear up rubbish themselves after being told bins could not be collected due to access issues.