MEARS has been named as the council contractor that took almost a week to clear raw sewage from a field.

The waste at Horsdean Recreational Ground in Patcham, Brighton, was caused by a toilet blockage nearby on January 4.

Mears staff had been unblocking the toilet in Horsdean that night and the mess filtered through a manhole at the ground – which the workers knew about.

Brighton and Hove City Council told us last month staff did not clear the sewage because it happened at night, so erected fencing around the site “until the waste could be cleared properly in the daylight”.

However, it took them until January 10 to remove the sewage.

The fencing around the waste was not removed until March 19.

It took the council eight days to tell The Argus Mears is the company that carried out the work, failing to respond to the question after numerous requests.

Patcham ward Councillor Lee Wares, the Conservatives’ environment spokesman, criticised the contractors last month after he discovered the fencing.

He branded it “wholly unacceptable” for Mears to leave sewage on the field, and for workers to take so long to clear it.

Horsdean Recreational Ground, in Vale Avenue, is a popular playing field.

The space is used for amateur football matches and cricket games during the summer.

Patcham United Football Club play their home matches at the ground, with their under-sevens to under-tens playing there.

The council said it is speaking to Mears about why the fencing was not removed because it caused confusion among residents who thought the mess had not been cleared.

A council spokeswoman said: “Our contractor, Mears, did not cause the sewage leak.

“Their operative discovered it on the evening of January 4 when investigating nearby blocked toilets and fenced off the area in the interest of public safety.

“The operative then reported it to Mears rather than the council.

“The following day Mears booked in the works to clean the area.

“It was left to dry out so that removal would be more effective and these works were carried out on January 10.

“Unfortunately, the fencing was not removed once the work was completed, giving the impression that the area hadn’t been cleaned.

“We are sorry for any confusion for local residents and we are speaking with Mears about this issue.”

l Have you had an issue with Mears? Email amir.razavi@theargus.co.uk with details.