AN ANGRY business owner said he felt forced to clear flytipping that included a giant mental container.

The rubbish has been left in Stifford Clays Road, Stifford Clays, and residents claim the rubbish has been there for a few weeks.

The business owner, who wished not to be named, was trying to clear the rubbish, in fear that his business would suffer from the road blockage.

He said that the pile of waste has got worse over the last week or so.

He added: "I think that these people are just continuing to dump rubbish in the road as they think that nothing will be done about it.

"I have called Thurrock Council on various occasions and spoken with the environmental team but it doesn't seem to have been done.

"It makes me very angry that people are doing this, and what makes it worse is that not only is my business but they have dumped the rubbish just a short distance from the waste centre."

A spokesman for Thurrock Council said: “Thurrock Council has been made aware of a recent surge of organised flytipping crime and are working with the police and other partner organisations to take action.

“Although we are the responsible agency to clear flytips on our public land - whatever the size, these crimes must be reported to the Environment Agency (EA) for investigation.

“This recent flux of large-scale tips is a problem not just in Thurrock but is being seen across South Essex– neighbouring boroughs are experiencing similar issues and we are working with them to form a co-ordinated approach.

“Flytips of this nature can cost thousands of pounds to clear at public expense requiring specialist equipment and incurring significant disposal costs per tonne.

“Thurrock Council’s environment team have been liaising with the EA about the tip in North Stifford, along with others, and have passed on all actionable evidence.

“We will continue to support their investigations every way that we can. Illegally dumped waste on public land will be cleared with hazardous waste and waste obstructing the highway being prioritised for removal.”