Horrified residents could only watch in despair as sewage poured out from manholes into woodland near their homes after heavy rain.

People living in the roads that surround West Wood in Benfleet claim the problem stems from the underground sewage system in the area being outdated and no longer able to cope with the waste that goes through it.

Colin Henwood, who lives in Prittle Close, Benfleet, called for action to be taken by Anglian Water which is responsible for the sewage system.

The 54-year old said: "There is a problem every time there is heavy rain. The water manages to get into the sewage system causing the waste to surge up out of the manholes.

"The sewage then leaks into the woodland and our gardens which back onto the woods. It is disgusting."

Mr Henwood said people were living in fear of bad weather especially after the last incident when torrential rain caused sewage to flood their properties on New Year's Day.

He said: "No one should have to put up with this. It is a health risk particularly as there are a lot of young children that play round here and in the woods."

A spokeswoman for Anglian Water confirmed an investigation into the sewage system was due to take place in the next few weeks.

Residents were also concerned that £120,000 of work by the borough council to stop Prittle Brook - which runs through West Wood - from flooding, had not worked.

Essex County Council provided the cash for the scheme which has involved making the brook wider and deeper so it would be less likely to burst its banks.

However Nigel Thomas, Castle Point's director of technical services, said: "It was never intended that the work would prevent the brook from flooding the woodland as that is part of the natural flood plain for the area.

"The aim was to stop the water from flooding into the properties downstream, which has been successful."

Published Friday, May 2, 2003

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