Wellingborough 'eyesore' overground sewer stays for another month

Repair challenges mean the pipe is due to stay for another month in Wellingborough

Plans to dismantle a temporary overground sewage pipe outside a row of new-build homes in Northamptonshire have been postponed for another month.

The structure in Stanton Cross, Wellingborough, was built to allow repairs on the underground pipe after a leak was discovered in December.

Anglian Water said due to "unforeseen obstacles" the above-ground pipe could now remain in place until early May.

However, a spokesperson said it was "now on the engineering home-stretch".

The 800m-long (2,625ft) structure, which was built in December, has been called an "eyesore" by residents, with one person living nearby saying: "Sometimes it really does smell, especially if the wind is going in your direction."

The temporary structure was installed in December after a leak was detected

To avoid having to dig up and replace the old pipe, Anglian Water has been inserting a lining - pulling it through the existing pipe to create a new pipe within the old one.

Work on that was due to finish at the end of this month but has since been delayed.

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: "We will conclude relining pipes mid to late April and then begin to dismantle the pipework after that. We estimate that the dismantling will take just over a week.

"We apologise for the disruption to the residents and greatly appreciate their ongoing support and patience for what has been a difficult project right on their doorsteps."

Stanton Cross: A timeline

2006: Plans for the Stanton Cross development are unveiled

2008: Wellingborough Council - now defunct - gives planning permission for 3,200 new homes, shops, schools and offices

2012: The development moves closer after the council buys a piece of land needed for a main road

2018: The first house brick is laid in May

2021: A new nine-acre park is unveiled

2022: A temporary sewage pipe is installed above ground in December

2023: Anglian Water announces plans to repair the existing pipe using a method called sewer relining in January

2023: The overground pipe is due to be removed, but repair challenges lead to delays

2023: The structure is now expected to be taken down in early May