Dumped bike behind Creggan raw sewage problem

A disregarded bicylce was one of the causes of a raw sewage overflow in Derry’s Creggan area, it has been revealed.

NI Water has said work has begun to resolve the problem at Bligh’s Gardens and while the sewer was able to flow again a bicycle remained lodged in a deep manhole.

Sinn Fein Cllr for the area, Kevin Campbell, had called on the problem to be resolved claiming residents were being forced to walk through raw sewage to get to and from their homes.

An NI Water spokesperson confirmed it had received reports of a blocked sewer and had attended the site and attempted to clear the blockage.

The spokesperson added: “However, further specialist equipment was required to complete the job.

“The team attended the site today (Wednesday) and discovered what looks like a bicycle and some iron bars lodged in a deep manhole.

“Efforts today have enabled the sewer to begin to flow again and a clean-up has been carried out, however, the bicycle is still lodged and a further attempt to remove it will have to be made over the coming days. “NI Water would take this opportunity to remind customers to dispose of inappropriate items in the bin, rather than in the sewers.

“Flushing of items like household wipes, baby wipes, sanitary towels etc. are a very common cause of sewer blockages across Northern Ireland, and NI Water is literally fighting a daily battle to keep the sewers clear, at a cost of £2.5 million per year. “Further information on NI Water's 'Dirty Dozen' campaign - the twelve most common inappropriate items flushed into the sewerage system - can be found atwww.niwater.com.” Cllr Campbell has welcomed the start of the clean-up operation. He said: “It’s been a terrible week for residents who had to walk through raw sewage to get to their homes.

“Hopefully, this work will now resolve the issues that have been causing the flooding and sewage being on the walkways.”