Residents in one of the most sought-after estates in Blackburn have spoken out over raw sewage spillage in the street.

Homeowners said they had raised complaints over the issue for more than a year and had become frustrated over the lack of action by the housing developer.

McDermott Homes who built the Highgate development off Yew Tree Drive said they had "ongoing investigative specialist inspections carried out over several months" and "work was continuing to rectify the issue".

Blackburn with Darwen Council said the housing developer had been contacted and notified the local authority they would be looking to resolve the issue.

The issue relates to a section of the road on Moore Avenue, off Bevan Street, at the far end of the estate overlooking the rugby pitches.

On inspection this week, a pungent smell was forcing many residents to close their windows.

One resident who lives close by said: “It is awful and it stinks.

“We have to keep our windows closed. The warm weather has made it worse. You can’t spend time in your garden without this smell wafting across the road.

“When your friends and your family are round you are hearing comments like ‘oh my god what’s that smell outside’

“I must have lost count the number times I have rung the developer.
“Initially, I got told it was not sewage and it was surface water.

“This water is definitely sewage spillage meaning it's full of nasty diseases.”

The resident said following complaints last year no work was done but following further complaints this year holes have been dug up on the road to investigate the issue.

Although there were no problems in the first few months of residents moving in.

He added: “The last year has been the worst.

“I have dogs meaning they could end up treading this sewage into the house.”

The sewage smell was emanating from this section of the road

Residents said children with serious health issues live on the stretch and "both having compromised immune systems which leaves at high risk". 

Another homeowner said: “We moved in around two years ago and we bought this house for the view and the outdoor space.

“I have a poorly child in the house. I don’t let them out.

“Because it has been hot you can’t leave windows open.

“I have rung and e-mailed the developer loads of times. It has been an ongoing issue.”

It appears the problem may be further up the street and the spillage was then finding its way to the surface outside their home.

The resident said she had seen more activity in recent weeks with council and other officers investigating the issue with more urgency.

On Thursday, a McDermott Homes spokesperson said: “We have had ongoing investigative specialist inspections carried out over several months. 

“Multiple contractors have been on site trying to locate and identify the source, this investigation work will continue till we resolve this issue. Due to holiday commitments and multiple contractors, its proven difficult to coordinate the ongoing work at times. 

“Communications have been going out to the affected residents, will continue to do so till this is rectified. 

“We do have contractors on site today and tomorrow, will be on site next week carrying out pressure testing till they find the fault.”

Blackburn with Darwen said the issue related to Bevan Street as Moore Avenue is not listed.

Head of highways, transport and networks, Carmel Foster-Devine, said: “The street is not adopted, and the drainage network is not shown on the sewer company’s official record. As such the developer is responsible for the maintenance, including rectifying any defects. 

“We have notified the developer about the sewage smells and spillage issue, and they have confirmed they are actively addressing the matter. They have identified the defect and are working to resolve this. 

“We are told the issue should be resolved within a few weeks.”