WALKERS enjoying a new nature reserve today hit out at the disgusting mess they faced after their route was paved with sewage and used toilet paper.Sewage overflowed from a manhole and poured down the path at Peewit Hill at Felixstowe – leaving it impassable and the area filled with an horrendous stench.

WALKERS enjoying a new nature reserve today hit out at the disgusting mess they faced after their route was paved with sewage and used toilet paper.

Sewage overflowed from a manhole and poured down the path at Peewit Hill at Felixstowe – leaving it impassable and the area filled with an horrendous stench.

Anglian Water launched an immediate clean-up, but residents said it was not the first time such an incident had happened.

Resident John Barkworth said: "I have complained four times to Anglian Water about this happening, and to the council as well, but it has got worse.

"It is a health hazard and something needs to be done. You cannot call this area a nature reserve and encourage people to come and enjoy it and then find it is swimming in sewage."

Mr Barkworth, of Newbourne Gardens, said the new tarmac path which has been constructed on the hill looked like it was "wallpapered with toilet paper".

He said: "It was horrible, disgusting. The manhole cover had burst open and the sewage had just run down the path.

"You could see the toilet paper everywhere and we know where that has been. The sewage was running down the hill and seeping into the ground but it was still getting on people's shoes.

"The stench was horrible as well."

Fred Durrant, of Dovedale, Felixstowe, said it was not just the sewer which was continually causing problems but a spring as well and work was needed to divert the gully to make walking easier and safer, and remove foul smells.

A spokeswoman for AW said the sewage had been caused by a blockage of debris in the pipes and had been dealt with and the area cleaned.

"We have had a couple of blockages in the past and we have reviewed our maintenance programme to see what we can do to stop it happening," she said.

"With this area being developed as a wildlife amenity we will be looking to see what we should be doing in the long term to alleviate blockages."

Town clerk Susan Robinson said the tarmac path had been done by the county council as a short-term "quick fix" health and safety measure now the route was officially open to pedestrians and cyclists.

It was not the final solution and the future work would include measures to deal with the sewage problem and the spring water.

n What do you think of the state of Peewit Hill? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk