Raw sewage rising into residents' back gardens

Raw sewage has been emerging from manholes in a Berkshire village and flowing into residents' back gardens.

James Devine, from Stanford Dingley, said the problem affected his property near the River Pang whenever there was heavy rain.

"We get lots of sewage lots of toilet paper and other bits and pieces coming into our garden," he said.

A Thames Water spokesperson said to mitigate sewer flooding the form had "implemented sewer lining throughout the village's infrastructure, sealed multiple manholes, and installed a flood alleviation tank to reduce overall flood risk".

"During severe flooding in Stanford Dingley, we may also deploy tankers to provide additional support," they added.

James said during the beginning of February the issue was the worst it had been since he moved in two years ago.

"The last couple of weeks we had really high levels of rainfall the manhole has been flooding for the last six days," he said.

"It has been running constantly day and night and then it goes into the River Pang."

Olivia Bailey, Reading West and Mid Berkshire MP, has called on Thames Water to take action to resolve the situation.

She said: "This problem has been going on for more than 20 years and Thames Water has repeatedly failed to act.

"Local people shouldn't have to pump raw sewage out of their own streets and gardens."

Flood Warden David Campaign said data on the situation had been logged by the Pang Valley Flood forum.

"We have had seven whole days of sewage flooding onto the road and into people's back gardens, which is the worst I have seen in two years," he said.

Edward Hanrahan, chair of Stanford Dingley Parish Council, has been calling on Thames Water to take action.

"It is definitely not safe to touch and that is one of the biggest issues," he said.

"We have got residents dealing with raw sewage that they really shouldn't be doing."

Hanrahan said that residents see "faeces, toilet paper, used condoms everything and anything that will go down the toilet, that's what ends up coming from the manholes".

Thames Water said: "We apologise to the residents of Stanford Dingley who have been experiencing heightened sewer flooding due to the heavy rain the county has experienced over the last months.

"Thames Water has remained in ongoing dialogue with residents and the local authority to determine the most effective long term solutions to the issue, while ensuring that measures will also protect and improve the local environment."