St Leonards businesses face 'financial ruin' following sewage leak

Several industrial units suffered flooding after a sewer burst in the Bulverhythe area last Wednesday morning (October 18).

Southern Water said two properties were flooded internally and 22 houses suffered external flooding following the incident.

More than 30 tankers were also sent to the scene as part of a major clean-up operation after the sewer burst in a field next to Amsterdam Way.

The subsequent flooding affected industrial units in the Bridgeway Industrial Estate.

Debbie Russell said: “I have a light industrial unit business in Bexhill Road where six of my units, all with businesses and tenants, have been contaminated and left unusable. We are not allowed to enter any of them nor touch the contents, as they are deemed a health hazard.

“We have had absolutely no help from Southern Water other than words but no actions. I have six individual businesses in the units, which now face financial ruin.

“Unit 42, where Scaffold Direct is based, cannot even access their land as the gravel drive is still covered in effluent as well as the owner’s office being fully contaminated. Coastline cannot access their unit, as everything inside has been contaminated and ruined.

“All of these businesses have lost their livelihoods and tools etc. We have been promised help but have not received anything from Southern Water.”

A spokesperson for Southern Water said: “Our teams worked around the clock to repair a burst sewer near Amsterdam Way in Bulverhythe, St Leonards.

“This was a significant burst which required a fleet of more than 30 tankers and overland pumps to help mitigate the flooding and manage wastewater flows.

“We’re sorry for the distress and disruption this caused customers and businesses in the area, especially those that have been affected by flooding. We will remain in the area until properties impacted internally and externally have been cleaned up.

“We recognise that this is not the first time this has happened and to prevent bursts like this there needs to be a long-term solution. This is why we’re spending £5m on replacing this sewer to improve our resilience in the area. Work is continuing on our major work, which we hope will end this sort of incident in the area.”

In a similar incident, a burst sewer affected the Bulverhythe area of St Leonards earlier this month, causing a major leak.

More than 40 tankers were sent to the area, together with hydraulic pumps as a clean-up operation got under way on October 1. Tankers also arrived at the Old Bathing Pool site the following day.

A major sewage leak also affected Bulverhythe in February this year.

Almost 20 homes were affected after the leak affected Bulverhythe Road early on February 3. A pavement also collapsed. Engineers from Southern Water then closed off the road and footpaths.