A furious resident has lashed out at Croydon Council after fly-tipping meant she couldn’t see the path beyond her garden.

Brenda, a carer who lives in Michael Road, South Norwood, said the problem has got so bad she had to pay for waste disposal herself, at the cost of £200.

The cancer survivor who is in her fifties said: “Your back garden does not get looked at throughout winter, because it is not your front door. I opened it last week to see it is completely piled up. I couldn’t see the path beyond at all. To be doing that and nothing being done is ridiculous.”

Brenda, who has lived on the street for 13 years, said that she contacted the environmental department at the council and was given a "false pretence" that they would help to clear it up. After a 48-hour wait, she was told that the land was "private" and that "nothing can be done".

She added: “I am a carer for my father so it was a real inconvenience and a real stress for me, because I am recovering from cancer.

"It was horrendous. I have to keep the stress at bay because of the cancer. I couldn’t stand it for another week. I had to get a waste disposal to clear some of it  because I could not move it myself.”

 A spokesman from the council said: “When our crew attended this property they found the waste was in a locked private alley. We will be happy to discuss disposal options with the householder once we hear the waste has been placed somewhere accessible.”

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