Brighton pensioners left with raw sewage outside homes for a month

Waste water exploded from a drain in the ground floor public hallway of Lakeview, in South Avenue, Brighton, on November 2 after days of heavy rain.

More than a month later, hundreds of dead flies are trapped in light fixtures, the carpet is stained with excrement and nearby walls are sodden.

Lakeview resident Chris Holme says he has contacted Southern Housing each day since the leak but was told health and safety conditions are preventing repairs.

“The smell is just unbearable, it’s unbelievable that it’s been left,” said Chris.

The drain is directly outside two front doors. (Image: The Argus)

“Both of the people who live near the drain are over 75. Southern Housing won’t change the carpet because of health and safety but are happy for people to live next to it.”

An engineer visited shortly after the explosion but was unable to open the drain cover. A second engineer came out days later and cleared the blockage, but said he was unable to confirm how long the fix would last.

But while the blockage is long gone, residents are stuck in a living nightmare.

“It makes me wretch every time I go down there,” said Chris.

“Every time it rained last month it leaked. We need them to come out and clean the carpets and walls, or just replace them.”

Chris decided to take action. (Image: The Argus)

One of the residents whose front door opens into the hallway said he has begun to notice flies in his flat, which had not been an issue before the spill.

Following intervention from The Argus, Southern Housing has agreed to fix the problem.

A spokesman for the housing association said: “We apologise for the sewage issues at Lakeview and are working hard to resolve them.

“We received a report of sewage emerging through the communal flooring on November 2.

“Our contractor attended the site immediately as an emergency and manually cleared the drains.

Sewage stains have marked the wall. (Image: The Argus)

“Drainage experts conducted high-pressure jetting the following day to remove further blockages and restore flow. However, additional works are now needed and we’ve engaged a specialist contractor who will be attending on December 19.

“The carpets in the communal area were wet vac cleaned on November 7 and are scheduled for replacement next week.

“Our team have contacted affected residents to provide the latest update and offer any support needed.”

The chairwoman of the Brighton and Hove City council’s housing committee, Councillor Gill Williams, said she is sorry to hear of the issues residents at Lakeview are experiencing.

“The property is owned and managed by Southern Housing. They are one of a number of housing providers in the city that accommodate people on our housing waiting list.

Southern Housing has agreed to change the carpet. (Image: The Argus)

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“Social housing landlords are subject to regulatory standards.

“We would advise tenants unhappy with the condition of a social housing property to follow their landlord’s complaints processes, and then if necessary the Housing Ombudsman Service.

“I will take complaints up with Southern on behalf of residents to help ensure their concerns are taken seriously.”