SMASHING and crashing of glass bottles is causing a rumpus for homeowners and recyclers following the relocation of a bottle bank in Great Dunmow. The large metal container situated in White Street car park was moved two months ago to allow space for a ne

SMASHING and crashing of glass bottles is causing a rumpus for homeowners and recyclers following the relocation of a bottle bank in Great Dunmow.

The large metal container situated in White Street car park was moved two months ago to allow space for a new �100,000 town square to be built outside the new library.

However, residents living next to the bank's new location, on the exit into Mill Lane, kicked up a stink because the smashing sound was a constant source of noise and irritation throughout the day.

After disgusted residents contacted Dunmow district councillors, Clive Smith and Michael Miller, a plan to replace the metal container with a plastic one was agreed with waste officers at Uttlesford District Council.

In its place though appeared seven wheelie bins and last week, following a failure in collections, hundreds of bottles spilled over into the car park causing what has been described as a "complete mess".

Dismayed at the current solution, Cllr Clive Smith described the noise and mess around the bins as "horrendous" and has vowed to resolve the situation.

He said: "The noise and reverberation was incredibly noisy for anyone living nearby, so I requested that it should be replaced by a smaller plastic one to reduce noise.

"The next thing I know is that it has been replaced with ugly wheelie bins, a sea of bottles and broken glass and a muddle that would disgrace other towns and cities."

Local residents also fear that when the bins are full, the bottles could be picked up by yobs and hurled around.

Mill Lane resident Barbara Hardiman said: "Since the proper bottle bank was dispensed with and the wheelie bins installed they have been observed to be overfull before and bottles perched precariously on the top have rolled down and smashed.

"I just hope that nobody takes it into their heads to have a proper smashing time with this golden opportunity."

The bottles were removed at around 11.30am on Monday morning, and a UDC spokesman apologised for the delay adding that the wheelie bins were there for a trial period.

The spokesman said: "We did miss one collection and the bottles built up. The situation is under review and we will be looking to see if the wheelie bins have enough capacity and are cost effective.

"If it does not work then we will consider returning back to the large metal bin. A final decision will be made by the end of November."

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