‘Putrid’ raw sewage literally on the rise at Hoxton council block

Raw sewage was 5ft high and rising at the base of a council block, creating an “absolutely putrid” smell for tenants.

The waste filled the boiler room at the bottom of the Cranwood Court flats in Vince Street, Hoxton, and spread outside the building, swamping the door and passageway.

Gordon Guthrie, 59, reported it to Hackney Homes a month ago. The sewage was drained but returned with vengeance and was 5ft high until being drained again yesterday.

“It’s disgusting,” said Gordon, who has lived in a first-floor flat for 17 years. “The guy from Hackney Homes came within four hours of me reporting it and said he would tell Thames Water. But this week it was 5ft high. It’s happened four times since I’ve been here.”

Gordon believes a problematic pipe under the building causing the issue.

“I’ve spoken to a lady on the first floor with a young girl and she’s saying she couldn’t open her windows,” he said. “I spoke to a neighbour on the third floor who says he’s getting whiffs, and there’s other people high up who can smell it. It needs some serious work.

“It’s not a very nice place to live anyway, so it hasn’t helped walking outside to the smell of raw sewage. It’s horrible.”

A town hall spokeswoman said the council was working with Thames Water to solve the problem.