Missed bin collections continue to frustrate Sutton residents despite it being eight months since Veolia took over the boroughs bin service.

Veolia say the latest failures are down to "mechanical issues".

A spokesman told Sutton Guardian: "We are sorry if some residents in Sutton have experienced delayed bin collections over the last week. Some of our vehicles have been affected by mechanical issues and this has prevented us from completing collections in some parts of the borough.

"These mechanical issues have now been fixed and we have caught up with any outstanding work. We thank residents for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused."

The hashtag #SuttonBinShame remains prevalent on social media and photos of fly-tipping are also being shared.

However, not everyone in Sutton is lashing out at Veolia.

Richard Johnson, who runs a Worcester Park community page on Facebook, believes Veolia may have prevented a dangerous fire in an area of "fly-tipping hell".

He said: "In September I went to Veolia and explained that on Central Road there was an arsonist going around. A huge stockpile from fly-tipping was nearby and if he found it he would set it alight.

"They listened and it took a massive lorry to get rid of it all. There were about 12 mattresses, furniture, carpets, the lot.

"I could do nothing more but to thank Veolia for what they did. It took away a massive fire risk. It was a monster. Obviously the fly-tipping came from the bin change.

"But they were great and potentially saved us from a huge fire."

Last week, MP for Carshalton and Wallington Tom Brake hit out at fly-tipping.

He wrote: "There’s been a very sad increase in fly-tipping. It costs councils £58m a year to deal with it when their budgets are being slashed. Take pride in our area, don’t spoil it for everyone."

One man, who goes by the Twitter username A Sutton Resident, believes Veolia has failed in its responsibility.

He told Sutton Guardian: "There has been various degrees of comedy. People are right to be annoyed.

"I appreciate there are cost considerations but they have to understand that this is people's environment and it is affecting a significant part of the borough."

He said the missed bin saga is particularly bad in the area he lives close to the old Sutton hospital.

"How can we be over six months in and there are people still complaining that they live in flats and their bins are not being collected. The addresses don’t exist. It is farcical.

"It is getting a bit better arguably but if you were supplying another commercial company with this service you would be kicked out by now."