FRONTLINE workers, including waste collection teams and park staff have been praised for their work during the coronavirus pandemic.

Southend Council parks staff along with waste and street cleansing staff from Veolia have been working to ensure streets are clean, recycling and waste is collected on time and maintain the parks and public spaces while the UK remains on lockdown.

Thanks to the waste crews and parks teams have also been received on social media, with some children also leaving messages out for the collection crews.

Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “I would like to thank Veolia staff. Waste collection is such an essential function, particularly when people are worried about cleanliness and health.

"By continuing to provide the waste collection services, our Veolia staff are meeting this essential need as we wait patiently for the coronavirus outbreak to pass.

"I am very pleased that we have so far been able to continue to provide our waste and recycling collections in full, including our garden waste collections and online bulky waste service.

"I would also like to thank our brilliant parks staff. I know many of them are worried about the effect this is all going to have on our open areas.

"But I know they will continue to rise to the challenge and our parks and gardens and streets will come back to life as quickly as possible given the current restrictions.

She added: “These are very difficult times we are living through and having to cope with issues that rarely arise in normal times.

"I wish you all well and on behalf of our residents, businesses, councillors and officers a big thank you for your efforts in the past, currently and in the future. They are and will be much appreciated.”

Visit www.southend.gov.uk/coronavirus