RAW sewage was running into a village street today after problems with blocked drains.

Richard Cornwell

A CLEAN-UP operation was under way today after raw sewage ran into a village street today after problems with blocked drains.

Residents said it was not the first time the problem had struck in New Road, Trimley St Mary, and were waiting for a clean-up operation to begin.

The blockage is believed to be in household waste pipes on private property - but householders had asked Anglian Water to take action because the sewage was running off a driveway and into the gutter and roadside drains.

Resident Deidre Cornforth said: “This is the third or fourth time we have had this problem.

“Once they told us it was because people were putting fat down the drains and this was setting and causing blockages, and then another time someone dumped concrete in the drains,” she said.

“There is clearly something wrong with the drains in this area.”

Householders in nearby Chatsworth Crescent and Addington Road had also suffered problems with blocked sewerage pipes.

“I cannot see how they can talk about building new houses in the Trimley villages unless things like the sewers are working properly,” she added.

Families close to the affected drain found they could not use their toilets, baths or wash basins because sewage was backing up.

Another resident said: “It's still gushing out and spilling into the road. The smell is absolutely awful.”

A spokeswoman for Anglian Water said a team had been sent to deal with the problem. It appeared fat had been inappropriately poured into the drainage system, causing the blockage.

Have you been affected by sewage problems in Trimley St Mary - give us your views. Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk