Councillor criticises lack of action on Mill Street sewage

Councillor Anthony Upton said Severn Trent has made "no attempt to face the problem" of an unbearable stench that has been plaguing Mill Street.

Despite the councillor reporting the problem last summer and being assured that a meeting with Severn Trent would be arranged, he said he is still waiting for "the courtesy of even a phone" and called the lack of action "unacceptable".

Severn Trent said it understands the concerns of the community and it has been carrying out tests and visits at the site.

Councillor Upton, the councillor for Kidderminster - St Barnabas, said: "Since initially contacting ST in July 2025, and with the continued assurance that meetings will be arranged and tests carried out on the Mill Street sewage system, I am yet to be given the courtesy of even a phone call.

"It is utterly unacceptable that as a councillor, acting on behalf of the residents and business owners, and the public themselves, who are being treated with utter disdain in asking for Severn Trent to act and get this problem resolved.

"From being ignored when asking for a meeting and being continually told it will be arranged, to the assurance that tests will be carried out and problems identified last summer, I have yet to be given the courtesy of a single meeting or analysis of the sewer condition."

In February, Severn Trent said it understands the concerns raised by the community and would reach out directly to Councillor Upton to resolve the problem, but Councillor Upton claims he has still not been contacted two months later.

The councillor, who said the sewage problem has been occurring since before the 1990s, has urged Severn Trent to take action to resolve the sewage problem and has asked for them to contact him.

Councillor Upton said: "I have contacted the County Council and asked that a formal request be presented to Severn Trent to carry out a full inspection of the sewer system in Mill Street.

"Personally, it appears to me to be an ongoing failing of the infrastructure of the sewage system in Mill Street, and I would suggest it is likely to meet the definition of being “prejudicial to health” or considered a statutory nuisance under the Environment Protection Act 1990 part III. Under this act, I understand they have a statutory duty to investigate.

"I really find it hard to understand how this issue and the effect it has on people can be continually ignored. Severn Trent needs to come to the table and make clear that they intend to face up to their responsibilities and act responsibly and quickly. They have my contact details. Again, I will wait for a response."

A spokesperson for Severn Trent said: "We absolutely understand the concerns of the community, and we are continuing our investigations into our sewer network on Mill Street.

"The network in this area is complex, and we have been carrying out various tests and visits to understand the cause of the issue.

"While we have been keeping the local councils and authorities updated, we will be speaking with the councillor to provide him with a direct update when our investigations are complete.”