A PARISH council removed litter bins near a beauty spot in a bid to cut flytipping.

Dedham Parish Council has been working with neighbouring authorities and partners to solve the problem of dumped rubbish near the River Stour, which also put cows’ lives at risk after they were picking and eating the litter.

The organisations collectively decided to remove the litter bins near Brook Street.

The dog litter bins have also been relocated, but not completely removed, as it is recognised it is unsanitary to take dog waste home by car.

In the past few weeks the village has been inundated with visitors following the easing of the lockdown restrictions.

A Dedham Parish Council spokeswoman said a small number of these visitors left a trail of rubbish and detritus in their wake.

She added: “Not only is this rubbish unsightly, it is also dangerous to the cattle and wild animals which access the river here.

“As well as leaving items, such as disposable barbecues, items of clothing, bottles and cans and human excrement behind, visitors are also piling up rubbish beside the litter bins which have been emptied by Colchester Council staff twice a day on particularly busy days.

“Having discussed with partners, including the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Stour Valley Project, the landowner, Stratford St Mary Parish Council and Colchester Council, it has been agreed to remove the litter bins from beside the gate leading to the river footpath.

“The idea is to remove the focal point which seems to encourage visitors to dump their rubbish here and to encourage them to take it home with them.

“This approach has been shown to work in other locations and will be for a trial period, which will be closely monitored.”

She added action against the dangerous practise of “tombstoning” from the bridge is being looked at by Suffolk County Council, which owns the bridge.

She added: “Dedham Parish Council is extremely grateful to the volunteer litter pickers who have been out to clear up the rubbish and we hope they will continue to help their community in this way.”

A sign will also be put up to notify visitors of the changes, to discourage barbecues and to clarify the area is not a public open space, but a footpath.