Residents and businesses in Brading, Isle of Wight, are unhappy about a sewage problem in the town. Picture by Robin Crossley.
UPDATED THURSDAY 09:27*
BRADING residents are kicking-up a stink about sewage which continues to flow down the High Street.
Not only is the effluent unpleasant but it is a health hazard, householders and businesses said this week.
They said several complaints had been made to Southern Water, but the problem persisted for nearly a fortnight.
The continuing problem, and the Isle of Wight Council response to it, prompted the owner of the Dark Horse pub in the High Street to erect a sign detailing advice from Isle of Wight Council officers: "Raw sewage on pavement.
"Isle of Wight Council advice: Use the opposite pavement and wash your hands."
Isle of Wight Council member for the area, Cllr Patrick Joyce, said: "That is obviously not an acceptable response.
"While it is Southern Water’s responsibility to rectify the problem there is a council environmental health element because this is a definite health hazard.
"The council should be putting pressure on Southern Water to get something done. This has been going on for more than ten days now."
Brading resident Dave Cassell said: "It really is disgusting. Staff at the local shop are regularly having to disinfect the floor and sewage is splattering up the outside walls of houses when cars run through it."
Southern Water said it was investigating "as a matter of urgency."
*A spokesman said: "We understand people’s concern about this issue and have been trying to find the cause of the problem. However, it appears to be complex and needs further investigation.
"Our contractors will be carrying out an excavation this week, when they will dig down to the sewers and hopefully establish exactly what is going on.
"We are taking this seriously and are keen to resolve the problem as quickly as possible."
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk