Ongoing sewage problems plaguing Stanwell residents have prompted their county councillor to write to Thames Water, requesting improvements to the local infrastructure.

Mark Hayhurst is frustrated with the on-going problem of sewage flooding during periods of heavy rainfall in Horton Road, Stanwell Moor, Long Lane and the Park Road area of Stanwell.

The county councillor said: "My dissatisfaction with Thames Water is two-fold. Firstly, despite numerous complaints and representations from residents in my area, no significant improvements to the infrastructure have been undertaken and, secondly, during episodes of flooding, Thames Water is difficult to contact and provides an often inadequate response.

"I have written to the chief executive of the company, asking him to visit the area to show that Thames Water Plc is visible as an organisation, and to organise two public meetings in Stanwell and Stanwell Moor to clarify its intentions, with regard to improvements to the local sewage infrastructure."

In the letter, Cllr Hayhurst has requested three issues to be clarified for local residents. These are:

The extent to which additional industrial development in the Poyle area has had an effect on Stanwell's sewerage system;

The nature of the reduction of the diameter of the mains sewer in Horton Road;

And the operation of the pumping stations at Haws Lane and Cordelia Road, Stanwell.

His views were echoed by Spelthorne borough councillor, Ann Norcross, who added: "In January, residents were left with sewage in their gardens, threatening their properties.

"As you will appreciate, this is both unpleasant and an environmental health risk."

January 31, 2003 10:01