Litter stuck onto Northampton road after crews paint over top of rubbish rather than sweep it up

Workmen on Earl Street painted over the top of litter rather than clean it out the way first.

Drinks cans, cigarette packets and wet wipes are now stuck in place in Earl Street after road crews painted over rubbish instead of cleaning it out of the way first.

Crews spent the first three weeks of August resurfacing neighbourhood roads in the Mounts close to the site of a new Aldi supermarket opening later this year.

But residents have now shared pictures of the "shoddy" work online.

Litter on Earl Street has been glued in place after workmen painted straight over the top of it.

One resident wrote on Facebook: "Someone buy them a broom... My two-year-old could have done better lines."

Niall Skinner, who works at The Lab cafe and pub on Earl Street, said: "It's disgraceful to look at.

"Couldn't the workmen have called the borough council and said 'hey, we're painting the roads down here today, can you come and clean it first?' There's been no communication."

Northamptonshire County Council, who are responsible for maintaining highways, has been contacted for a comment.

It is understood the resurfacing work in Earl Street was not completed by or on behalf of Aldi.