A Becontree resident has complained that she feels "ashamed" to live in her area as a result of years of litter and dirt coating the streets.

Olivia Virag, 54, has said broken glass, cans, chip shop packaging and bottles are all a regular sight when walking around Becontree Heath near Dagenham.

Despite raising alarm bells to Barking and Dagenham Council in 2023, she does not think that enough has been done to tackle the mess and keep the streets clean.

Olivia 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 local authority has said that keeping streets clean and tidy is a "key priority", but added that it was facing tough financial challenges with reduced funding for services.

Olivia told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) there was not a littering issue when she first moved into the area in 2020, but that she noticed it had started declining around 2022 after the pandemic.

'I feel literally ashamed if anybody comes to visit me', Olivia said'I feel literally ashamed if anybody comes to visit me', Olivia said (Image: Olivia Virag)

She continued: “I know it’s not a posh borough so to be honest I did not expect a spotless street and environment anyway.

“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.”

She said that she had purchased equipment to clean around her building with her partner and try to reduce some of the litter from building up whenever possible.

She said she wants the council to take responsibility for the area, by putting in more bins, more frequent litter collections, and better monitoring and enforcement in problematic areas.

“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,” Olivia added.

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, 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 Morrisons bus stop and Wood Lane in particular.

"We continue to work hard to keep our streets as clean as possible.”