A FRUSTRATED councillor has said residents deserve better after a road in Dovercourt has been “allowed” to become a “disgusting” eyesore.

Victoria Street has long been a hotspot for fly-tipping and mess and Ivan Henderson has now called on Tendring Council to take action once and for all in ending the spiral of neglect.

He noted the site is one of the first spots you see when leaving Dovercourt train station, which he now worries could put visitors off from returning to the town.

“That site has been like that for far too long,” he said. “It has been continually left and it’s in such a state now that it needs strong enforcement action from the council.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Mess - Victoria StreetMess - Victoria Street

“It’s not fair for residents to keep living under those circumstances and it’s certainly not good for anyone visiting the area; one of the first things they’ll see is this absolutely disgusting mess in front of them and that’s just not acceptable.

“I’ve had promise after promise that something would be done in that area to force the landowners to take responsibility and nothing has been done.

“Council officers would not allow a site like that within Frinton to remain without taking action so why should people in Harwich have to put up with it? Why have we got to keep putting up with living in surroundings like this?”

Mr Henderson is now concerned the state of the site will encourage further neglect and pose a potential health risk.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Mess - Victoria StreetMess - Victoria Street

“If you leave an area to deteriorate like this it encourages anti-social behaviour," he added.

“There is a car dumped which, if it has petrol inside, could be a real fire hazard.

“The lack of action encourages more fly-tipping. It cannot be left like this.”

A spokesman for Tendring Council said: “This location is identified within our adopted Dovercourt Revisited Masterplan as a development opportunity site, and therefore is on our radar as somewhere with potential to add to wider public realm development in the area should appropriate funding be identified.

"“In general terms any site about which an enforcement complaint is made is duly investigated, but we would not comment on any details while such an investigation may be pending or ongoing.”