Kicking up a stink! Anger over ‘sewage fountain’ in Cheddington

The manhole at the junction of New Street and the village green in Cheddington recently erupted with sewage after heavy rainfall on September 1.

And locals trying to fix the problem have been left frustrated at an apparent lack of action from Thames Water.

Villager Charles Storr said he contacted the company four times over the erupting manhole.

He said: “When it rains heavily, the manhole cover is overwhelmed and we get a 2ft high sewage fountain.”

Relating how the flood came about, he said: “Last Tuesday morning, I was taking my dogs for a walk and it was raining heavily, I noticed the High Street was flooded. I turned into the green and could see in front of me the liquid flowing out of the manhole about 2ft high.

“I’m sure it’s going to be a tourist attraction sooner or later. There’s a bus stop 40ft away from the manhole. The green is used by children and families and I can’t get anyone to give me a straight answer about what can be done about this.

“This is 2015 in England. You would have thought they would be able to sort the drains out.”

A spokesman for Thames Water said: “We’re sorry to the customers affected by the overflowing manhole.

“Our engineers are investigating and will be assessing the pipes for blockages.

“In periods of heavy rain, excess surface water can overwhelm our sewers, but we will do all we can to alleviate the problem.”