RESIDENTS have been left disgusted by huge amounts of waste found dumped on one of the borough’s most picturesque walk ways.

It is thought around 10 lorry loads of rubble, wood, some small metal and tyres was illegally tipped onto the path beneath the northbound entry slip of Junction 30 of the M25.

The picturesque route takes walkers from Davy Down park in North Stifford along the Mardyke Valley.

One walker, Martin Morris, who came across the mounds of waste, said: “There must be 10 truck loads of it there, the access is completely full.

“I am not sure who this land belongs to but there are few enough unspoiled bits of Thurrock. Action should be taken in getting this cleared and prevented from happening again.”

Another walker, Jo Edmeades, tweeted a picture of the rubbish and said: “Obviously our council taxes don't stretch to clearing up Davy Down in Thurrock :-( #disgusted.”

The Highways Agency, who own the land, are working with the Environment Agency to investiagate how the waste came to be there.

A clear up operation has also begun.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: “The Highways Agency, as landowner, and its contractor who manages and operates the M25 on our behalf, are working with partners including the Environment Agency to investigate and clear this fly tipping at junction 30 of the M25 and to reduce the likelihood of a recurrence.”

An Enviroment Agency spokeswoman added: “This is part of an on-going investigation. The fly tip occurred a few weeks back and we are working with the Highways Agency, to both clear the site in the next couple of weeks but also to heighten the security of that site to disrupt and prevent any future events of this nature.

“Waste crime is a serious offence with tough penalties. It can damage the environment, blight local communities and undermine those who operate legally.

“The Environment Agency is working with the police and others partners to prevent and crack down on serious and organised environmental crime.

“Information about this or any similar crime can be reported via the 24-hour Environment Agency Emergency Hotline 0800 80 70 60 and may be reported anonymously.

Thurrock Council said it was not involved in the clear up operation.”