Inside grim UK neighbourhood where bins overflow and tidal wave of litter 'shames' residents

An East London woman has blasted her local area, saying she feels "ashamed" to call it home due to a persistent problem.

Olivia Virag, 54, is sick of the sights of broken glass, cans, and takeaway containers littering the streets of near . Despite bringing up the issue to the council in 2023, Olivia feels not much has been done to address the filth or keep the streets clean.

Ms Virag said: "It's very bad and the deterioration is worse and worse every year. It looks like Barking and Dagenham Council is just not interested anymore." The council insists that remains a "key priority", but added that it was facing tough financial challenges with reduced funding for services.

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Ms Virag told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the littering wasn't an issue when she first moved to the area in 2020, but that she noticed it had started declining around 2022 after the pandemic. Ms Virag added: "I know it's not a posh borough so to be honest I did not expect a spotless street and environment anyway. The people are completely resistant and apathetic on this topic - they just kind of expect it.

"It's very annoying to me. I feel literally ashamed if anybody comes to visit me. I've lived all over in London, on the south end and North London as well, but this is definitely the most messy."

The woman has now taken matters into her own hands by buying cleaning equipment to tackle the litter around her building along with her partner, reports . She has urged the council to step up, pushing for more bins, increased rubbish collection, enhanced surveillance, and enforcement in troubled spots.

She said: "I really want to force the council to make some effective steps and not to expect the community to do their job. We do it anyway as an addition, but it's not the right way if the council just stands back," she said, calling out the local authority's approach.

A Barking and Dagenham Council spokesperson said: "Keeping our streets clean and tidy is a key priority for us. We're aware of some residents' frustrations and our teams have been addressing the concerns raised throughout. Ward councillors met with residents earlier this week, listening to their concerns and will be looking to implement a number of very helpful suggestions from the meeting.

"Like councils across the country, we face tough financial challenges with reduced funding for services, but within the Becontree Heath area resources have been reviewed and reallocated to provide additional support around the bus stop and Wood Lane in particular. We continue to work hard to keep our streets as clean as possible."

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