Hole lot of bother over ponging pipe

ROAD up . . . Councillor John Battye with resident Stephen Ellis, whose home is next to the hole which has been causing a stink

A HOLE in the road dug to repair a broken sewer is causing a stink among residents in a Failsworth street.

The hole, about 13ft deep and spanning two thirds of the road, was dug five weeks ago by Oldham Council to investigate subsidence.

A broken sewer pipe was found to be at fault and the matter passed over to United Utilities for repair.

But the sewer has been releasing stinking smells for over a month and residents fear the subsidence could be damaging their properties.

William McKenna (60), a Miriam Street resident for the past 28 years, said subsidence in the road had been causing problems for years and the matter needed to be resolved.

He said: “We are the forgotten street.

“We are the last street in Oldham before the border with Newton Heath and it is a case of out of sight, out of mind.

“The hole blocks two thirds of the road and neighbours have said the cracks from it are starting to spread. One lady says the gable end of her rented property has moved as a result. The stench from the open drain has been unbelievable. The people of this street are sick of it. If this was Uppermill or Delph, something would have been done immediately.”

Failsworth West councillor John Battye said no work has been carried out to repair the sewer for the past two weeks.

He said: “The hole has an open running sewer at the bottom, and the stench is stomach-churning.

“The road surface nearest the excavation is showing further signs of subsidence. Cracks have appeared that were not there five weeks ago.”

A spokesman for Oldham Council said it originally dug the hole to investigate the subsidence but United Utilities is responsible for the repairs and reinstatement.

A spokesman from United Utilities said it had not been informed about any sewer issues until Thursday. He said: “Ee are going to tackle this as quickly as possible. As soon as the council has made the excavation safe for our gang to work in, we will get the job done.”