Sewage problem causes bit of a stink (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Sewage problem causes bit of a stink

VILLAGERS in South Cerney are kicking up a stink once again after yet another burst pipe flooded the streets with sewage.

The latest leak, which happened in Robert Franklin Way last Wednesday afternoon (January 18), is the fourth time the system has burst in four months.

Now residents are demanding water company bosses come clean about why the pipes keep breaking.

The Standard spoke to several of them just hours after the latest problem had left their street awash with untreated sewage and dirty water.

Kaye King, who lives next to the latest burst, arrived home to find the street flooded.

She said: "The fact it is in the same place it so obviously must be related to the pumping station. It's the noise, the smell and the inconvenience to everyone.

"It's so frustrating because they really can't say it's wear and tear. It's just not when it's four times in four months. I drove home and thought 'not again'. Your heart just sinks when there's sewage running down the road."

Angie and David Spencer live next to the pumping station and once again were faced with a sleepless night as several large tankers descended on the street to deal with the sewage while the pumping station was out of action.

Angie said: "It's a nightmare, I work from home and you can't concentrate when the tankers are there all the time. Then when you are trying to sleep it's impossible."

After a heated public meeting, organised by Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, residents were relieved to hear new pipes could be fitted to stop the bursts and the bad smells suffered by residents of Kingfisher Place. But the timetable for any revamping of the sewage system is likely to take several years.

This has left people living in the worst affected roads wondering when the next burst will be.

Cotswold District Councillor and South Cerney resident Clive Bennett renewed his call on Thames Water to come clean about the pipe troubles.

He said: "I have tabled a motion with CDC and we have had a meeting with Geoffrey Clifton-Brown. I am now furthering the call to Thames Water to get on an do something. The priority is to stop the leaks and keep the sewage where it belongs - in the pipes."

A Thames Water spokesman said: "We have to apologise once again. We can't rule out the possibility of it happening again. We will repair the pipe as soon as we possibly can and we are liaising with the local MP and parish councillors to keep them informed about all work."