LATE evening collections, blocked roads in rush hour and paper flying around the streets has left residents in Southend's borough unhappy - and unimpressed with new rubbish rounds.

The blame has been laid squarely at Southend Council's door, and yesterday the authority apologised for the mayhem.

Some collections have been made during rush hour, while others haven't had their rubbish picked up until 9.40pm.

New additional recycling boxes for paper and cardboard, which the council say will save them £22million over the next 15 years, came into play last week - and it's clear things haven't got off to the best of starts.

Tony Moltino, from Westbourne Grove, Westcliff, had his trash collected during rush hour. He said: "It’s not a good idea for the council to be sending trucks to pick up our recycling at 6.10pm.

"And paper is flying out when it’s collected and the drivers are not picking it up.

"There was shredded paper in one resident's bin, my wife said it was like confetti at a wedding!

"We are pretty close to Southend Hospital which means that it is an ambulance route. But there is no way an ambulance could get past if the truck is moving slowly that time of night to pick up our recycling.”

Brian Smith, 77, also of Westbourne Grove, said he could understand residents' frustration - especially those whose rubbish was picked up just before 10pm.

He said: “I am in favour of recycling, especially if it is profitable for the council but I can appreciate why people are not happy."

About half of the borough’s households have also been given new collection days - with collection dates switching.

The Echo told last week how several streets in and around Leigh had problems with very late collections on Wednesday.

Tony Cox, executive councillor for transport, waste and cleansing, said: “On behalf of the council and as the new portfolio holder who has inherited this contract, I apologise for the many issues residents faced.

"I recognise that there were operational issues but it is not acceptable for waste to be collected at 9.40pm in the evening.

“I understand the challenges some residents are experiencing with the blue boxes or sacks and will work with Veolia to correct these issues.”

Another resident, who did not want to be named said: “I am very pro recycling and are encouraged by Southend Council coming up with innovative ideas.

"If the new scheme helps raise more money, that will be great. The new blue box is very big though and we had to find extra room in our kitchen for it.

“My fear is that it might be difficult for older residents to navigate - the box is big and more difficult to carry than a sack.”

To check delivery dates and when your collection dates will change, visit southend.gov.uk/info