CAMPAIGNERS have spoken of their happiness following a long-awaited metal gate being installed at the end of Rainbow Lane in Stanford-le-Hope, to prevent fly-tipping.

Shane Hebb and Terry Piccolo, Tory councillors for Stanford West say they have campaigned to see a gate installed at the flytipping hotspot.

The pair hope this will prevent vehicles driving down the lane and dumping waste in and around the scenic river-bound footpath.

Mr Piccolo said: "For years, walkers, cyclists and horse-riders have had to endure irresponsible and selfish fly-tipping down Rainbow Lane; turning what should always be a pleasant walk to the river, rather than the unpleasant navigation of black bags, sofas, tyres, window frames and other illegally-discarded waste".

"Not any more".

Mr Hebb says it was a long campaign "to win a long-running war."

He said: "The war against illegal fly-tipping down this area has just turned in our favour.

"Our thanks to Pauline Tolson and her environment team for their support. We are glad that by working with them, we have made big tracks in preventing more fly-tipping in this area, and reduced the need for our council having to constantly clean the area up when they could be tidying up other areas".