Sewage spill on cycle path in Mirehouse, Whitehaven, branded 'vile'

Youngsters have been wading through raw sewage on their way to school along the cycle path in Mirehouse, Whitehaven.

United Utilities say the issue has now been resolved after concerns were raised over the health risks of walking through untreated sewage.

It is thought to have been caused by a blockage which had built up and was possibly caused by wet wipes or fats, oils and grease being flushed or poured away.

Carl ‘Wammo’ Walmsley’, who runs the Mirehouse Matters Facebook page, said: “I walked through it the other day, not realising what it was, and it's absolutely vile.

“I know it's been reported many times by concerned residents as they have put it on the Mirehouse Matters page. How it hasn't been seen as a priority job is beyond me.

“It’s on a popular stretch of the cycle track used by residents of all ages and is on the Valley School route. The councillor for the area was informed and he says he is chasing it up. Hopefully, it will be resolved as soon as possible.”

Mike Hawkins, who represents Mirehouse on Cumberland Council, said: “This is just the latest incident on that footpath going back many years with flooding.

“It’s time United Utilities sorted out the problem once and for all. It’s unacceptable that children have to go through this.”

A United Utilities spokesperson said: “A team has carried out investigations into the sewer blockage, which caused flooding onto the footpath and found that everything was operating as normal.

“As an extra precaution they will be returning to carry out further CCTV checks along a length of the sewer to double check that the issue is resolved.

“These types of blockages are often caused by items like wet wipes, or fats, oil and grease being poured or flushed as they get stuck in the pipes and don’t break down.

“We always remind people that only pee, poo and paper can go down the loo and to dispose of cooled fat and oil from plates, roasting dishes, pans and utensils, into the bin.”