Anglian Water are to invest around £350,000 in an upgrade of the local sewer system to tackle the ‘Benfleet Stink’ and stop the frequent spilling of sewage into the ditches around Richmond Park.
Anglian water announced the comprehensive program of works at a meeting with residents, Benfleet Councillors, and the Environment Agency organised by local MP Rebecca Harris on Friday.
Rebecca raised the matter with the Managing Director of Anglian Water, Peter Simpson, at the House of Commons last month.Rebecca said, “I made it clear to Mr Simpson that the odour is seriously damaging the quality of life of a whole neighbourhood and it is simply unacceptable. I am glad that Anglian Water are undertaking a comprehensive plan of works to solve the problem for residents once and for all and agreed to take measures to limit the affect of the odour until the works are completed.”
The announcement follows a yearlong campaign by local Councillors and residents to get Anglian Water to tackle the severe odour problem that has plagued residents around Richmond Park since 2009.
St. Marys ward Councillor Andrew Sheldon, who has actively campaigned for Anglian Water to take action to ‘Stop the Stink’ since his election last year, said, “I really hope this is it and that soon residents will finally be able to breathe easy in their own homes. Over the past year residents have come to me sometimes in tears saying they have been unable to sleep in their own homes the smell has been so bad. I am very happy that Anglian Water have finally agreed to the serious upgrade of the local sewage system necessary to get rid of it and for also agreeing to install a deodoriser at the sewage works in the meantime. I am very looking forward to seeing the timetable of the work.”
Ms Nicky Yetton, a resident of Woodham Park Drive who attended Friday’s meeting and collected over 200 hundred signatures on a petition calling on Anglian Water to take action said, “I am thankful for Anglian Water for finally taking the problem seriously. Now it’s just a case of ensuring they deliver the results. I am really looking forward to being able to enjoy relaxing in my garden again next summer!”
Anglian Water have agreed to attend another meeting hosted by Rebecca in six months time to discuss the progress of the works.