'THERE is mess on our streets, something needs to be done.'

Those are the words of Councillor Nick Tolley who urged councillors to take action to tackle rubbish problems in Burnham-on-Sea.

At a meeting of Burnham and Highbridge Town Council's town project committee on Wednesday (March 20) Cllr Tolley, who owns Nick Tolley Photography on Abingdon Street said he frequently sees rubbish left littered down Technical Street in Burnham and he thinks it gives visitors a bad impression of the town.

He said: "On Technical Street it has been noticed by traffic wardens and by residents that rubbish has been left down there.

"There has also been damage to a building on the end of the street as a rubbish lorry couldn't fit down the street as there were bins in the way.

"If this is problem is not addressed I can see it escalating to a level we cannot control, we need to get the rubbish people down there.

"A few years ago the Somerset and Dorset pub wanted to expand their space inside and as a result the space they used to use to store rubbish has now gone and rubbish is being left all over the street.

"Other businesses have started to do the same thing like the new Card Factory store has three great big bins outside and Costa which recently had a refurbishment has got rid of their back storage room so the rubbish just ends up on the street."

Councillor Janet Keen said she shared Cllr Tolley's concerns but said a 'holistic' approach would be best to deal with the issue.

Councillor Peter Clayton echoed Cllr Keen's comments and said action needs to be taken to tackle the issue but it needs to be done by the new council after the elections in May.

"It is an issue we want to sort out and if we put it on the next council agenda as it is for the new council to sort out," Cllr Clayton said.

"I think we need a holistic approach to tackle with Highways England, Somerset County Council and Somerset Waste Partnership all being involved.

"In the meantime we can list everything that Cllr Tolley has mentioned as well as any other items we see and have a big agenda item and meeting about it."

Anne Popham, owner of Specsavers on High Street also spoke at the meeting and said her building has been damaged on a number of occasions by bin lorries and urged councillors to take action.

She said: "Bin lorries are hitting my property as they can't get down Technical Street.

"I have asked Highways to put a steel post at the end of the road but they refused.

"The building could be at risk of collapse. I am really sad that I have to come here and say this when we put this on the agenda years ago."

Councillors agreed to resume talks on the issue at the next council meeting on June 10.