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Lancing sewage leak: Flooding cleared ahead of repair

Nigel Sweet A tanker arrives to pump out waterNigel Sweet
Residents of the West Beach area have endured multiple floods in recent months

Flooding has been cleared from a coastal estate after raw sewage leaked into the streets for a sixth time since October, Southern Water has said.

Waste water was "climbing the pavements" on Monday, according to an infuriated resident of West Beach estate in Lancing, West Sussex.

The water company said tankers and pumps cleared the flood overnight.

"We can now start digging to reveal the burst and decide on a method for repair," it added.

Local resident Nigel Sweet said: "The speed of the clean-up has been amazing, and so far there has been no further flood."

Nigel Sweet Work on the roadNigel Sweet
Southern Water has started to dig towards the burst pipe

Southern Water apologised on Monday for the "ongoing disruption and distress" its customers on the West Beach estate faced.

In a statement on Tuesday, it said it was prioritising the clean-up and disinfection of pathways and roads, and would work with customers to thoroughly clean affected driveways.

It warned that traffic management would be needed on the A259 and apologised to motorists affected.

Nigel Sweet Flooded streetNigel Sweet
Once tankers are in place, Southern Water said the clear-up would begin
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