Collapsing sewers under examination

12.01.00am GMT Sat 28th Jan 2006

Mike Hall at a problem sewer drain in Glentrammon Gardens

Mike Hall has met with Glentrammon Gardens residents who are concerned about the problems with their sewer which has begun to collapse. The sewer runs along the back gardens and was constructed of "pitch fibre" material, when the bungalows were built in the late 1950s. These drains do not last for ever, and they will need to be strengthened with plastic pipe or, if they collapse, be dug up and replaced.

Neither the Council nor Thames Water is responsible for private sewers, but Bromley's Environmental Health Department has had to step in to arrange emergency works.

Mike says "The bills for emergency repairs can be alarming, but if residents get together to get all their drains strengthened, much of this expense can be avoided. Plastic pipe can be inserted by a contractor without digging up the drains. It would be a good idea for the local Residents Association to get involved in this."

Mike has been looking into why the Government has done nothing about bringing the law up to date, so that there is a sensible arrangement for dealing with the problem. There is no real clarity under the law at it stands about how the expenses should be allocated between houses. They all use the same sewer, so it is probably fairest to divide the cost equally.

The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published a consultation paper on this subject two years ago. It can be read on their website: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/sewers/conpap.pdf

A change in the law was opposed by people with vested interests such as the water authorities and the private drainage industry. It is possible for Thames Water to adopt private sewers and, if all else fails, this may be the answer. It may lead to slightly higher water bills for everyone, but would solve the problem, and anyone's drains might be affected.

This is not a problem which will only affect one road. The Lib Dem team will continue to work with the Council and residents to find solutions.