As you will know there has been an overwhelming and distressing pong of sewage for some months along the Downslink behind Northdowns, which we have been pressing Thames Water to investigate.
Before Christmas Thames Water confirmed that:
“There are manhole covers, covered in brambles, we’ve been unable to access. We need to cut the brambles away in order to lift the manhole covers to see whether there is an operational issue in this section of the drains. I’ve escalated this job to our contractors, Lanes for Drains and asked them to plan this job in as soon as possible, they’ve assured me this will be done after the Christmas period. I’ve been assured this will be planned in the first week of January. As we’re yet to investigate this stretch of drain, I’m unable to confirm what is causing the smell at present. “
Today a resident reported that contractors are once again working at this location and it is reported that they have now found the illusive manhole cover they have been searching for since October. The reason for the ongoing issue is now being blamed on invasive tree roots, which, if proved to be the case, will mean digging up and replacing the sewer pipework at this point.
We do hope that this situation will be sorted out soon, as the odour nuisance for people living in this location has been considerable.
Please continue to report any incidents of sewage odour, as without your complaints Thames Water will not have an accurate record of the problems in Cranleigh, making it far more difficult to justify allocating resources here.
Our next partnership meeting with Thames Water is scheduled for 17 February 2017.
