Residents in the villages of Twigworth, Longford, and Down Hatherley near Gloucester are voicing growing frustration over a worsening sewage crisis. As housing developments continue to expand, the aging and inadequate sewage infrastructure is struggling to cope, leading to frequent overflows and daily tanker operations to manage excess waste.
During a recent planning meeting for an eight-home development off the A38 Tewkesbury Road in Twigworth, local officials expressed concern about connecting new properties to the “failing and outdated” sewage system. Rick Harris, vice-chairman of Twigworth Parish Council and chairman of Longford Parish, described the situation as a “crisis” that has steadily deteriorated throughout the year.
Harris highlighted a recurring pattern where sewage periodically overflows into public areas and walkways through manholes. Despite Severn Trent’s efforts to cordon off affected areas, residents and pets are often exposed to contaminated zones. He painted a vivid picture of a “procession of tankers” navigating residential streets daily to pump out the excess sewage—a temporary fix that has lasted for months.
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The community is desperate for a solution to the “chaos,” pleading with planners to halt developments that strain the system further.
On the other side, proponents of the new housing argued the site is suitable and sustainable. Anne Kenchington noted the local council’s current inability to demonstrate a five-year land supply for housing, emphasizing that environmental and infrastructure concerns had been thoroughly assessed and deemed acceptable by technical experts.
During debate, Councillor Jim Mason raised questions about accountability for sewage spills. “When the sewers can’t take it, they just blow the lids off,” he said, recalling instances of foul water flooding streets. He pressed for clarity on who is responsible for cleanup costs—whether local authorities or Severn Trent—warning that continued unchecked development risks worsening the problem.
Officials confirmed that Severn Trent operates the sewage network, with the Environment Agency and council becoming involved only in cases of pollution incidents.
Despite acknowledged issues, Councillor Mel Gore recommended approving the development in line with officers’ advice, a position seconded by Councillor Matt Dimond-Brown. Gore expressed hope that Severn Trent will respond effectively, saying, “There’s nothing we can do. It is down to Severn Trent, and one would hope they are listening to us yet again.”
The planning committee ultimately voted to approve the proposals.
After the meeting, Twigworth Parish Council chairman George Sharpley described the community’s position as a frustrating “catch-22,” noting a lack of official recognition of the problem’s scale. He pointed out a 2025 planning condition for the Chestnut Tree Farm development explicitly prohibiting new connections to the sewer until upgrades were completed—highlighting it as the only formal acknowledgment of the system’s failure.
Sharpley detailed how the network’s inefficiency results in grotesque sewage spills into public spaces, requiring tanker interventions that pose safety risks.
Severn Trent, while cooperative with developers to meet national drainage standards, is not a statutory consultee in planning decisions. This means it cannot legally block new home connections or halt developments, even when the local sewage capacity is insufficient.
A Severn Trent spokesperson said the company is actively investigating the area and collaborating with developers to reduce groundwater ingress into the sewer system, aiming to improve network performance.
As new housing continues to be approved, villages grapple with the environmental and health consequences of an overwhelmed sewage infrastructure demanding urgent attention.