PEOPLE living in Trent Close, Droitwich Spa, have said they are “outraged” after roadworks they had privately funded have been damaged by a council refuse collection lorry.

Residents had paid a “substantial amount” out of their own pockets to fill pot holes in the car park, which is privately owned and used collectively by residents.

However, Mark Edwards, who organised the collection, said he saw the Wychavon District Council bin lorry damage the tarmac surfaces just days after the initial damage was repaired.

However, after requesting the driver to stop dry steering on the tarmac, the Mr Edwards, witnessed the refuse lorry reversing into the car park again causing damage to the asphalt.

Wychavon District Council said it was a privately owned car park and responsibility of the landowner to carry out repairs which, had it been carried out correctly, would be able to take the weight of the lorries.

Mr Edwards, one of the 55 out of 58 homeowners that contributed towards repairing the damage, said: “The 20 or so potholes were one foot deep and proving to be a problem for us.

“After we collectively raised the cash for the roads to be repaired back in November 2014, the highways department finally repaired them this month, but the refuse lorry is ripping it all back up again.

“In the last 30 years the council has denied damage that has worsened over time to the two car parks and photographic evidence has now clearly shown the damage these heavy 26 tonne vehicles cause.”

Sharon Casswell, client services manager for Wychavon District Council, said: “This is a private car park and it is the responsibility of the landowners to ensure it is properly maintained.

“If repaired to the usual highways standard the car park surface will easily be able to sustain the weight of a bin lorry.

“That said, we have been out to visit the site to see if there is an alternative route we could use to collect bins from the Trent Close area and unfortunately the only option would be for every resident to bring their own bin to the edge of the car park next to the road which would be impractical.”