MP steps into sewage hazard

A SUFFOLK MP has pledged to try and help residents who say they have had to put up with raw sewage pouring into their gardens for years.

Last week, several residents of Girton Road, Haverhill, were outraged again after overflowing manholes left their gardens covered in sludge they say is a health hazard.

West Suffolk MP Richard Spring met with the residentswho are now demanding urgent action to resolve the problem.

He said: "I was horrified to hear about the apparent appearance of raw sewage entering into my constituent's gardens. This is everybody's worst nightmare. I wanted to see the situation for myself and then do what I can to get those responsible to take action."

One resident, Derek Andrews, claims the problems have been going on for nearly a decade and says something must be done to resolve the situation.

"This problem has been going on for nine years. Exactly the same thing happened last year and it has already happened this year on three occasions. We keep asking Anglian Water to sort out the problem, work is done, but it never gets any better.

"We are all fed up with the situation and want it to stop."

Last week another resident said the sludge had become so bad that she could not let her baby daughter into the garden.

Vicki Stratton said she feared her four-month old daughter, Bryony, who is awaiting an operation to repair a cleft pallet, would pick-up an infection.

"When the weather is nice I would normally put her out in the garden, but there was no way I was putting her out there."

A spokesman for Anglian Water said: "We are aware of the recent problems with the sewers in the Girton Road area. We have now put in a regular maintenance plan to ensure the sewers remain clear and as free-flowing as possible."