THE team at Basildon Council’s Barleylands depot, in Billericay, describe themselves as one happy family.

From their base in Barleylands Road, staff travel across the borough ensuring streets are clean, bins are emptied and signs and lighting maintained.

Operations manager Vince Collins, who has worked for the council for 32 years, now manages more than 2,000 refuse and cleaning staff.

He said: “Things have changed a lot from when I started as a litter-picker. Back then, we didn’t have recycling and the vehicles were very different.”

Council refuse teams collect rubbish from about 1,400 properties per shift, and manoeuvring seven-and-a-half tonne dustcarts through residential streets can prove challenging.

Rubbish collection might not be seen as the most glamorous job, but the depot is an attractive location for many prospective employees. Mr Collins said: “Most people working here have been here a long time - we have people with 15, 20 or 30 years.

“We have got a few youngsters in after we lost people to retirement, but recently we had two jobs going and received 330 applications.”

The happy outlook of the waste team is typified by Robert Bullock, 48, a street cleaner in Vange for three-and-a-half years. He has twice won the Improving Lives accolade at the council’s annual staff awards.

Robert’s daily duties see him emptying bins, sweeping leaves and ensuring the area is clean and tidy. He said: “I have always been into engineering and had a short spell working on the railways.

“I had a few other jobs in between, but I really enjoy this and think it is a brilliant job.

“Everyone always gives me a wave and I really feel like I am part of the furniture now. I have a toy horse’s head on my cart and that helps break barriers and put a smile on people’s faces.”

Joy Darch, 58, a street scene technical officer, is responsible for the upkeep like signs, lights, bins and bus stops on council owned highways.

She has worked for the council for 29 years.

Joy, of Langdon Hills, said: “At the moment, we are replacing lots of damaged street furniture.

“The whole of this place has a good atmosphere and we are a good team.

“We all watch each other’s backs. I wouldn’t have been here for so long otherwise.”