AN operation to pump out sewage from a manhole after a sewer collapse in a neighbouring road fell foul of a motorist on Friday morning. The unsuspecting driver damaged a temporary surface pipe in Bedford Road which was being used to pump out sewage follow

AN operation to pump out sewage from a manhole after a sewer collapse in a neighbouring road fell foul of a motorist on Friday morning.

The unsuspecting driver damaged a temporary surface pipe in Bedford Road which was being used to pump out sewage following the collapse in London Road while driving along Bedford Road at around 9.30am.

The fractured pipe caused sewage to spew out all over the road, going onto the pavement as well as pouring down a private road before Thames Water Authority (TWA) arrived to repair the damage.

The problems had started when a sewer collapsed in London Road more than a week ago and initially TWA was overpumping from one manhole to another along there.

But in order for a permanent repair to be carried out, they moved the pumping to Bedford Road using an overland pipe.

A spokesperson for TWA said this week that they had not been aware what had caused the pipe in Bedford Road to fracture but as soon as they were alerted to it, they turned out to clear up the spill and carry out repairs.