Lancing Burst Sewage Pipe: West Beach Residents' Nightmare Before Christmas

Residents at Lancing's West Beach Estate are living with a third burst sewage pipe in as many months.

Residents living on Orient Road have taken to Facebook to share what they're going through yet again, as a third sewage pipe burst and sent raw sewage all over their street over the weekend (Dec 11/12).

Southern Water took to Twitter to reassure residents that sewers are being repaired so that future leaks are "less likely":

We will be making repairs to the burst sewer in the West Beach estate, #Lancing today. We’re using tankers to protect the environment and manage flows so people can use their facilities as normal.

— Southern Water (@SouthernWater) December 12, 2021

We’re sorry if the one way traffic management on the Brighton Road is causing any disruption but this will remain in place during the week to keep people safe while we line a section of sewer to make future bursts less likely.

— Southern Water (@SouthernWater) December 12, 2021

On Twitter again, they added:

“We’d like to apologise to our customers in Orient Road, Lancing following another burst on the sewer in the area – we’re grateful for their patience and glad that no homes or property have been affected.

"We are already preparing to put a special polymer lining in a stretch of sewer nearby to make the network tougher with work starting on Monday.

"As well as making a repair at the burst, we’re bringing forward the plans to use tankers to manage flows so the environment is protected and customers can use facilities as usual. More work to prevent future bursts in the area is being planned and we’ll keep people informed.”

Meanwhile West Beach residents have been doing their fair share of social media posting too:

One resident commented:

"Nothing says Happy Christmas West Beachers like the orange flashing lights right outside, the thundering tankers, the stink and the sound of the shi**y water trying to be pumped up it’s going to be a long long night!"

Another posted part of a letter he'd sent to officials regarding the leak:

"This situation has reached ludicrous proportions and cannot continue incessantly. 

"The damage to our roads and environment is extensive due to the massive weight of the tankers crushing an already fragile road and the constant threat of sewage bursts (notwithstanding the impact on our community mental health and anxiety levels)."

Another resident said:

"The speed people driving through it is stupid....splashing up on pavements and cars... it stinks... "

And another:

"We can't stress enough the need to record - if you ignore they will not repair. The damage is extensive in many areas.

"SW have actually said that "they are repairing as an act of goodwill" - hold on SW you are destroying our roads and pavements with 30 ton tankers going up and down our roads for the past 2 months. It's not goodwill to repair something you damaged it is your job to repair all damage."

And finally:

"Let's spare a thought for the tanker drivers , some who have been sent down here from miles away. Just met 2 in the shop. Sounds like they have been sent over as quickly as possible and they've had very little sleep. I thanked them for all that they're doing and now I'm sitting in front of my fire and Christmas tree with my family counting my blessings."

The story of the burst sewers made BBC and ITV news this week.

Residents are just hoping they make it to Christmas sewage-free.

More to follow.