RESIDENTS are calling for Bournemouth council to do more to clear a "disgusting" stairway used for flytipping.

A walkway leading off the Dalkeith Steps, which connects Old Christchurch Road and the Richmond Gardens Multi Storey Car Park, was filled with items including mattresses, refuse bags and dirty nappies when the Echo visited the area on Monday.

One man, who asked not to be named, said that he was clearing a nearby flat and was requested by the customer to put unwanted items such as curtains and small household goods on the pile.

From 2009: time to clear the rubbish from Dalkeith Steps?

He added: “I was told that the council clears it every week. The people I work for say that they do not want to pay for their unwanted things to be taken away. I can’t take it home with me, so this is my only option.”

The rubbish has since been removed, but residents say it’s a recurring problem that needs sorting as soon as possible.

Ryan Hurrell, 22, who works nearby, said: “It’s been like this for years. It ranges from mattresses to sofas. Sometimes you have to step over stuff that you’d rather not put your foot into.”

Resident, Dana Petrova, 23, said: “It’s terrible and disgusting. I often see needles outside my front door. It’s quite scary.”

Tiffany Dean, 39, from Richmond Floristry, based in the Dalkeith Arcade, said that homeless people sometimes sleep on the steps. Speaking about the rubbish, she added: “It’s absolutely disgusting. You never know what you might be standing in. If it’s dark, it can be quite dangerous.”

Stuart Best, Street Services Manager at Bournemouth Borough Council, said:“These properties are on our black bin bag collection round and currently residents must leave their rubbish at the specified collection point.

"This area is visited by our teams on a daily basis.

"There are currently no bins located on the premises due to Government regulations that deem it unsafe for our operators to pull bins up and down steps.

“The removal of bulky goods is not part of our general collections service but if residents need to dispose of large items this can be arranged for a fee.

"If large items are not disposed of correctly and left dumped on private land then it is the responsibility of the managing agent to ensure it is cleared up.

"Our Environment Health team have spoken to the managing agents of these properties and we are working with them to find a solution to improve black bin bag storage.”