Sewage tanker sits in street 'for 20 hours a day' after collapse

Waste removal lorries have been stationed on a residential street every day for nearly three months after a sewage pipe collapsed, residents have said.

The pipe in Vista Road, Wickford, Essex collapsed and overflowed on 5 June and has been monitored for potential overflows ever since.

The lorries arrive at 06:00 BST each morning and leave at 16:00, returning at 18:00 and leaving again at 04:00, according to resident Sandie Mills.

Anglian Water said the tankers were needed to take away residents' waste water, so they could safely use their toilets and taps.

Sandie Mills, whose house is close to the parked lorries, has been sleeping in the back of her property to try to avoid the noise.

"There is one lorry that turns up that constantly, has its lights on and runs the lorry all night," she said.

"We've had to move into the back, especially with the windows open in the weather, it's even louder"

Mrs Mills added she was worried about cars passing the tanker on the corner if there were to be icy conditions in the winter.

Another resident, Alan Warne, was the most affected by the collapse as his manhole cover overflowed with sewage water.

The sewage pipe runs underneath the Southminster railway line, which has caused delays to the repair work.

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: "We are aware of a collapsed sewer on Vista Road in Wickford and we're currently liaising with Network Rail to enable us to begin the repair work."

"Should residents be experiencing any issues in the local area they can report them to us on 03457 145 145 or via our website so we can investigate further."

Network Rail has been approached for comment.