Burst pipe leaves sewage in Sussex gardens again

The latest leak is believed to be the fifth problem with the sewage system in the area since 2021

A burst pipe has left several inches of sewage on streets and gardens in an East Sussex town.

It is the second time in a month that a pipe has burst in Amsterdam Way in Bulverhythe, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.

Hastings Borough Council's (HBC) deputy leader said the stench was "overwhelming" and the authority was lobbying Southern Water to compensate the town.

Southern Water apologised to residents and said it was working "around-the-clock" and expected repairs to be completed on Friday.

It is believed to be the fifth time a sewage pipe has burst in the area in the past two years.

The latest issues began on Wednesday, and previous leaks in the area caused the closure of beaches and damage to beach huts.

Marjie Hedges, who lives next to the burst pipe, told BBC Radio Sussex: " I was at home when it happened and looked out the window and could see the sewage, so immediately I ran around to where they were working on the pipes to tell them.

"Everything we replaced last time this happened... the grandkids' jungle gym and Wendy-house... it's all just written off again and will need replacing.

"We've had to keep the cat in because she walks in the garden and then would trail it back into the house."

Hastings Borough Council has previously said it would be seeking compensation from Southern Water because of continuing problems.

Marjie Hedges, who lives near the burst pipe, said sewage has ruined her grandchildren's toys in her garden for the second time

Locals have taken to social media highlighting dozens of tankers operating in the area, pumping sewage out and taking it to the Galley Hill Pumping Station.

On Facebook, deputy leader of HBC Maya Evans wrote: "Yet another burst sewer pipe at Bulverhythe, Amsterdam Way. There's currently several inches of sewage and an overwhelming stench."

She added that Hastings Borough Council would "continue to lobby Southern Water to fix infrastructure and compensate the town" and said the authority would consider legal action against the utility firm.

Dee Parrott is trying to sell her home and described the latest leak as "just horrendous"

Local resident Dee Parrott is trying to sell her home and described the latest leak as "just awful".

Sh told the BBC: "All I got told was that four tonnes of human waste goes through that pipe.

"It is really old and I know that they do need to do essential work here but to have this happen now ... it was bad enough that I had all this as a building site when you're trying to sell but to have this happen on Wednesday and just watching the water rise was just horrendous."

Disruption and distress

In a statement, Southern Water apologised to affected residents and said on Friday morning: "We expect this work to be completed later this afternoon.

"A fleet of tankers will remain in the area managing flows of wastewater through taking it to Galley Hill Pumping Station and Hastings Sludge Treatment Centre for it to be treated.

"We're very sorry for the disruption and distress this has caused residents and businesses in Bulverhythe."

The utility provider said it was working to replace the sewer between Amsterdam Way and Cinque Ports Way in Hastings as part of a £5m project.