Overflowing bin store is ‘disgusting’ health hazard, say fed-up Croydon residents

By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter

Families living in a New Addington social housing block have complained that an overflowing bin store is attracting rats and badgers, claiming Croydon council failed to properly secure it.

The bin store, which is not yet meant to be used by residents, has been full since October and is now overspilling on to the floor.

Families who live next to the bin store complain that vermin and the wind gusts mean rubbish often piles up outside their front doors.

Despite persistent contact with Croydon council regarding the issue, residents complain that the authority has not properly addressed the issue after five months of waiting.

Mother Kelly Billingham has lived on the ground floor of the housing block in Warbank Crescent for 12 years.

Ms Billingham, whose property backs on to the bin store, said: “It’s frustrating me now because why do I have to go to these lengths to get someone to clean it up?

“They wouldn’t live like this, why should I have to? I pay my rent and bills, it’s not fair.”

The bin store was first introduced more than a year ago as part of the newly-developed housing block that was built behind Ms Billingham’s property in Warbank Crescent.

The flats, built for Croydon council’s controversial Brick by Brick company, brought a cohort of residents to the area more than a year ago.

While the new stores were meant to serve these residents, the council has yet to clear them for official use. As a result, the bin stores were padlocked to prevent people from using them.

However, this has not been the case for the bin store by Ms Billingham’s address. While a padlock was placed on the door, it was never locked, leading to the store becoming the preferred dumping site for hoards of unsorted rubbish.

“It’s been a whole year that people have been living in those buildings. They know it’s in this state. It’s infuriating,” said Ms Billingham.

Following persistent complaints on behalf of other Warbank Crescent residents, the council’s waste contractor visited to clear the bins in October of last year. However, according to Ms Billingham they “didn’t finish the job” and the situation has now got worse.

The store remained open at the start of this month, with an official council notice warning people to use other bins in the area.

Warbank Crescent residents are encouraged to use an alternate store on the edge of the block.

In the past year, residents have reported seeing rats, field mice, foxes and badgers near the bin store and, when it’s windy, the rubbish blows empty milk cartons and microwave dinners everywhere.

“There could be anything in there, it’s disgusting,” said Ms Billingham.

Croydon council has been approached for comment.

Pictured top: Rubbish piled up in the Warbank Crescent; Lauren West (left) and Kelly Billingham, who live on the ground floor of Warbank Crescent, right next to the bin store (Pictures: Kelly Billingham)