LOWTON'S "beast from the sewers" has raised its ugly head again.

Monday evening again brought torrents of raw sewage flooding roads and driveways in the Chester Avenue area.

Now sickened locals are kicking up a stink in the hope of finally laying the "beast" to rest.

Grosvenor Road resident John Crane put down his sweeping brush and declared:"I have lived in Lowton for the past seven years and have spent yet another night clearing raw sewage from driveways and the public road. Like the rest of my neighbours I am heartily sick of this perennial problem.

"This problem has existed, from anecdotal evidence, since the estate was first built. A private contractor's opinion was that the blockage is in the main sewer system."

He said earlier this month an environmental health officer inspected the site for the 'umpteenth time' and decided there was a blockage causing a "back-up".

Mr Crane reasoned:"If the houses in this area were authorized by the Council, and the drains were sub-standard from the outset, surely any responsibility for the upgrading of the drains to a standard fit for human habitation at the close of the Twentieth Century must lie with Wigan Council?"

Neighbour Geoff McCourt said angrily:"It was terrible. There was toilet paper, sewage and sludge up to my front step. Monday night's flood was by far the worst we have had since moving here in 1981."

A Council spokesman said:"Our drainage experts are fully aware of the problem.

"We will be carrying out a cleaning-up operation with all possible speed. Capital work on major sewers is not the responsibility of the Council, but North West Water."

A NWWA spokesman said:"The deluge was too much for the sewers. We are investigating and apologise.

"We are in touch with Wigan MBC, who are our agents, and anyone affected by foul flooding can claim compensation. Forms are available from Wigan Council who will then forward them to us."

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