Investigation after sewage overflows onto footpath

The Horley sewage treatment works overflowed after Storm Henk caused the River Mole to burst its banks

The Environment Agency said it has launched an investigation after sewage spilled onto a public footpath in Surrey.

A treatment works at Horley overflowed on Tuesday when the River Mole burst its banks during Storm Henk.

The Environment Agency said the spill was "completely unacceptable", and the local parish council leader said Thames Water had promised action after a similar spill in November.

Thames Water has apologised and has promised to clean up the area.

In a statement, the Environment Agency said: “We are aware of the ongoing situation at Horley Sewage Treatment Works which is completely unacceptable.

"We have recorded non-compliances against Thames Water for breaching their permit, and our officers are actively investigating this incident.

"We have also made clear that we require the water company to complete the previously recommended major infrastructure works for this site.”

The sewage contaminated a footpath near the treatment works

Charlwood Parish Council chair Lisa Scott, who is also the Green Party's parliamentary candidate for Dorking and Horley, told BBC Radio Surrey: "This is about the fourth time that we've seen it this winter alone.

"We had an agreement that they would do something about it, we haven't had feedback yet to see what they are going to do."

A Thames Water spokesperson said: “The Environment Agency visited our site at Horley to understand the situation and discuss mitigation measures in place.

“The discharge from our storm overflow tanks was due to exceptional high flows and a high river impeding the discharge from the storm tanks.

“We regard all discharges as unacceptable and are sorry to those affected by this.

"We have published plans to upgrade over 250 of our sewage treatment works and sewers including Horley. This will improve the sites ability to treat the high volumes of incoming sewage and reduce the need for overflows during wet weather."