AS crowds of people flocked outside to enjoy the arrival of summer, dozens of people were forced to sit indoors after a sewage leak left a revolting smell.

When the mercury soared to highs of 29C and people headed to the beach, the park or enjoyed a barbecue at home on Monday – families in Black Tiles Lane, Martlesham missed out after sewage flooded the road.

Disgruntled resident Carole Revett said: “We were unable to use the garden on one of the hottest days of the year because of the awful stench of overflowing sewage.

“The smell was three times as bad as rotten eggs – it was horrendous.This was the first nice day we have had and we couldn’t make the most of it at home because of the smell.”

Anglian Water engineers and a tanker were sent out to the scene of the overspill and pumped out the drainage system to remove the blockage. The fed-up resident added: “This happens on a regular basis. Cars had to go through the sludge because it is the only access to the road.

“When buses or heavy lorries come past, the sewage is sprayed all over the pathway while people have to avoid being splashed.” Antony Innes, of Anglian Water, confirmed there was a problem in Black Tiles Lane on Monday.

He said: “We have been on site to clean up the mess as well as the sewer to reduce the chances of it coming back.

“It’s an ongoing problem with the misuse of sewers which become blocked with fats, oils and grease.

“They go down the plughole very easily but as soon as they hit the cold, dank, dark sewers, they congeal and become very difficult to dislodge.

“We are looking at putting this issue in our planned preventative maintenance route.”

n Were you affected by the sewage leak? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk