Former Foxes star demands action over street sewage

A former Leicester City star has joined residents in calling for action to stop sewage from blocked drains running down a Leicestershire street several times a year.

Ex-Foxes defender Steve Walsh, who co-runs a football academy in Warwick Road, Whetstone, Leicestershire, said it was a health hazard for the children and the smell from the "bubbling" dirty water was "horrendous".

Alaina Gallacher, centre manager at Blaby and Whetstone Youth Club, which is based on the same street, added the problem was getting worse and she feared someone could fall seriously ill if the problem was not properly resolved.

Severn Trent Water has apologised for the flooding, which it said was caused by a blockage formed by items flushed down the toilet.

Mr Walsh, head coach and co-director at Advanced Football Development Academy Leicester, said: "The smell is horrendous that comes from it, especially in warmer weather.

"Apart from what we can see at the side of the road or bubbling up, it's an awful situation.

"It's not healthy at all for the kids that we have."

Ms Gallacher said: "My concerns are that people are walking through it and it's a busy road for cars, so they're getting splashed by other people's sewage.

"People are bringing it in in their shoes. They're walking their dogs through it. They're driving their cars through it.

"It's a health hazard. Someone is going to be seriously ill if it's not addressed properly.

"We need a resolution to get it fixed once and for all, or we're literally going to be in a mess again and again."

A spokesperson for Severn Trent Water said: "We're sorry for the disruption that's been caused on Warwick Road, as we know how unpleasant any flooding can be.

"On this and previous visits, we have found the issue to have been caused by a blockage formed by items including wet wipes which had been flushed down the toilet."

The company advised people to bin anything that was not toilet paper, and avoid washing fats, oils and grease down the sink to prevent blockages from forming.

Ms Gallacher said she welcomed the company acknowledging there was a problem, but added a long-term resolution was needed before the drains flooded again.

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