Sewage work 'unlikely this year'

The latest update on the long-running sewage story in the centre of Audlem has been provided by Audlem Online's veteran underground reporter, for security reasons known within the webteam as 'The Mole'.

Our reporter has discussed the sewage situation in depth with the four United Utilities representatives who were in the village today. Work that was meant to be carried out in the summer is yet to get underway.

Information caravanMany readers will recall that, at considerable effort and expense, a large fully-staffed United Utilities information caravan arrived in Audlem in May.

Residents were then told that the water company proposed carrying out sewer work during July in Kingbur Place (better known as the Moseley's Yard development), the Fire Station and connecting into the existing sewer in the middle of Shropshire Street and building a new manhole.

The proposed work would consist of re-routing the existing sewer in Kingbur Place into Shropshire Street, and was to be carried out by a contractor on UU's behalf. Traffic was to be badly disrupted for at least two weeks with half the road dug up and the total project was to take several months.

DelayThe work was then delayed – rumour had it that negotiations with the Cheshire Fire Service had not been completed and there was a funding problem.

It now appears that there's been a change of planned contractor for the work, arrangements to ensure the fire tender can still operate while the work is carried have not been finalised and it is highly unlikely the work will take place this year.

Unfortunately, there is still a noticeable whiff in the air. United Utilities suggested it was best to write to the company if you wish to complain about the smell. Both the UU representative and The Mole agreed there was no point telephoning to complain as nobody gets back to you.

As our reporter concluded in his ever-diplomatic style: "They don't know if they're on their a--e or their elbow. What was the point of the information caravan and all that expense which we pay for through our water bills." We await a more formal update from United Utilties.

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