Eyesore waste bins left out on the improved pedestrian area in Trowbridge have been causing concern in the town. 

The bins have been left by residents around a lamp-post in Hill Street and Wicker Hill where Wiltshire Council has recently completed a revamp of the area.

The area has been re-designed to make it more attractive to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the town centre to and from Trowbridge Railway Station.

It is part of the second phase of road and pavement improvements in the town centre paid for by the £16.3 million Future High Streets Fund award to Trowbridge.

A spokesperson for estate agents EweMove in Hill Street, said: “So was this part of the plan to smarten up the town centre, bins now spread over the new pavement in front of shops?

“Not a good look and not good for business! This needs sorting out.

He added: “Obviously, they need to sort this out. They can’t stay there. They were stacking up outside our shop.”

Other people have complained on social media that the ‘eyesore’ bins have ruined the look of the area which now has new floral displays.

Some say they have seen seagulls scavenging for scraps around bins that have been left out by residents for collection.

Trowbridge Town Council leader Cllr Stewart Palmen said: “It is not on at all to have bins there.

“The bins have been placed there for collection as Wicker Hill is not being used by the bin lorries now but should have been removed back to their normal locations after bin collection.

“This has not been happening and Wiltshire Council Waste have written to the bin owners requesting that they are not left on highways land.

“They are given sometime to comply and then it will go to enforcement who will then confiscate the bins.

“Pragmatically until the road is reopened things will not be perfect there, Roll on the end of September.”

Cllr Palmen said Wiltshire Council would be following up on the issue and contacting those residents whose bins are there.

Trowbridge Town Council and Wiltshire Council would also follow up on any fly-tipping that takes place, he said.

Cllr Dominic Muns, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for waste said, “While the works are taking place on Wicker Hill and the road is closed, residents and businesses have been asked to leave their bins at a collection point on their collection day and take them back to their normal location after collection. Not all bins are being returned to their normal location.

 “Where households are leaving their bins on the highway, and the property can be identified, we have written to the householder to advise they must present bins only for collections, and they must be taken in as soon as is practical following a collection.

“If households and businesses do not comply with this a penalty notice can be issued. We have identified some unauthorised or apparently abandoned household waste bins and we have arranged for these to be removed.

 “The commercial containers being left out do not belong to the council and as such we cannot remove them. However, the matter has been raised with the enforcement team who are looking into this.

 “There have also been reports that passers-by are adding to the waste around the household bins when left out for collection.

“We have arranged for the removal of fly-tipped items and for an additional public litter bin to be provided temporarily whilst the works are ongoing. Additional permanent litter bins will be provided as part of the FHSF works.”