Frustrated residents are demanding more is done to help improve the “disgraceful appearance” of the River Colne.

Members of the public vented their anger at the Environment Agency’s failure to tackle the stretch of water near Townsford Mill during a town council meeting on Monday.

Incensed by the authority’s suggestions the section in question has taken on a new lease of life, Richard Woods called on Halstead Town Council to increase its involvement in the issue.

He said: “Sadly it is now a disgrace and the River Colne is being reduced to a ditch. I would ask this council to look very closely at what the Environment Agency has said and what action they must take to raise the tone of debate about what is being done about that river.

“It is unfair to the volunteers of Halstead in Bloom to leave it as it is. It must be resolved and this council must play a part in that. This is a public issue and it deserves public airing.”

Another public speaker, Tony Lister, added: “Something has got to be doneThe council has got to get in touch with the Environment Agency and our MP because this has to be sorted out.”

Councillors defended their attempts to resolve the issue and insisted their hands were tied as they play no role in the management of the river.

The town council had a request for a public meeting with the Environment Agency declined last year.

Mayor Andrew Munday said: “We are in the background doing everything we can. We are only able to impress upon those responsible the urgency to sort it out. But we don’t have any command to tell them what to do.”

Councillor Shirley Diver added: “We are very aware of the river and how it looks. We are trying our best but sometimes the people have more say. If you could get a group of you together that would be a start.”

The Environment Agency confirmed discussions are still ongoing with the relevant parties about improvements.

A spokesman added: “Once these are complete, we will be very keen to widen the discussion to other interested parties.”