Heavy rain tests the sewer system (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Heavy rain tests the sewer system

RESIDENTS in Ilmington are holding their breath - and possibly their noses - in anticipation of the next big downpour to hit their village.

It follows reassurances from Severn Water that recent work carried out on the drains should have solved overflowing sewage problems that have plagued the village for the past 10 years.

But parish council chairman Tony Wilkins has yet to be convinced.

"Severn Trent have had cameras down and jetted. They have found roots down there and have cleared them out. They think that's cured it but we haven't had any heavy rain. I don't think it will have made much difference," said a dubious Mr Wilkins.

"I would guarantee that naturally the pipe isn't big enough and too much surface water gets into it," he added. The village's sewage saga, which began at least 10 years ago, mainly affects the junction of the Armscote Road and Front Street.

"When there is heavy rain the system is completely overloaded. It used to lift a very heavy manhole cover. The Severn Trent had the idea of fixing the manhole cover and putting a road gully. It flows down the road for 150 yards. It is sewage and it isn't right in this day and age," said Mr Wilkins.

The parish council eventually called on Stratford MP John Maples to add his voice to their fight to get the problem sorted out.

"We were getting nowhere. Severn Trent have been telling us for years that it is low priority," said the parish council chairman.

Since the latest work has been carried out by Severn Trent eight or nine months ago, there have been no further reports of overflowing sewage, said company spokeswoman Kate Cox.

"Strictly speaking there is nothing wrong with the sewer. It did need cleaning and there was root invasion, which have been cut back.

"There are two drainage systems - the sewer, which takes foul waste and highway water drainage. Very often you get a combined system and that works fine until you get very heavy rainfall," said Ms Cox.

She said that over the past two year the number of heavy - "almost tropical"- rainstorms had led to an increasing number of overflow problems across the country.

"On a normal day to day basis this sewer functions well. We've done everything we can to make sure there is nothing jeopardising the system," said Ms Cox.