Blocked drain causes sewage spill at Monkton Heathfield (From Somerset County Gazette)

Blocked drain causes sewage spill at Monkton Heathfield

1:10pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in Taunton By Daniel Milligan

THERE was a whiff in the air at Monkton Heathfield this morning (September 27) after a blocked drain caused a road to be flooded with sewage.

The incident was on School Lane, near to Monkton Heathfield Stores and caused some problems during the school rush as students started their day at Heathfield School and SPACE College.

Ray Tolley, of Monkton Heathfield Stores, said he was disappointed with how long it took for the sewage to be dealt with.

He added: “It was reported to Wessex Water at 4.30pm on Wednesday and only the council came out to try and clear some of the mess away.

“It kept me and my wife awake all night because you could hear it flowing down the street – I wouldn’t have minded if it was water but when it’s sewage it is a different matter.

“It only took them half an hour this morning to fix it so a lot of hassle could have been saved by coming out yesterday.”

A Wessex Water spokesperson said the heavy rainfall caused a blockage to build up in the street.

They added: “Our crews got down there Thursday morning and began clearing the road - it should all be fine now."