MP Woolas steps in over sewage saga

FED-UP families are kicking up a stink over sewage problems they say are making their lives a misery.

Householders in Church Road, Uppermill, claim cellars, rooms, gardens and pathways are filled with foul water after heavy rainfalls.

The problem was first highlighted by local councillors John McCann and Christine Wheeler who alerted Oldham Council and, in turn, United Utilities which is responsible for public sewers. Now, Minister for the Environment, Phil Woolas, MP for Saddleworth and Oldham East, has stepped in to to try and resolve the issue which has blighted residents for years.

Problems, say tenants, are compounded by heavy rain filling a 9in pipe from the near-by Wellmeadow Estate which runs into a 6in pipe feeding their homes.

Sewage enters their houses and lifts manhole covers spewing vile contents on to the road and pavements.

Widow Morag Thorpe, a former school headmistress, has lived in Church Road for seven years. She said: “My cellar was flooded to a depth of more than 15ft a couple of weeks ago. It was horrific.

“It is dreadful — particularly when I see women with young children pushing prams though the dreadful mess left on the road side.

“The sewage poses a real health risk.”

Next-door-neighbour Peter Archer (58) said: “We can’t go on like this.”

MP Woolas vowed to tackle the problem, adding: “I am talking to the Environment Agency and United Utilities asking that Church Road is moved up their priority list.

“It is very dangerous for people to be living and working in this environment.”

Helen Wilson, from United Utilities, said: “We have already begun investigations and identified that a major scheme to increase the size of the sewers would be the solution. However, large- scale engineering like this must be approved as part of our investment programme.”