Lorry’s sewage spill left East Winch residents with ‘overwhelming’ stench as it took two days to clean up

It hung around like a bad smell for days - but a lorry’s sewage spillage has finally been cleaned up in a village.

Many living in East Winch had to pinch their noses when they stepped out of their homes last Tuesday, after a Fenland Haulage Storage lorry splattered “thick, black, highly pungent agricultural slurry” over the A47.

Pavements, roads, bus shelters and three cottages were hit with the waste after a car pulled out in front of the HGV, which caused its driver to slam on the brakes, expelling the sewage.

It is not clear what the exact contents of the waste were, but residents have referred to as either pig waste, fish guts, chicken guts and “agricultural cake”.

Police officers who were called to the scene confirmed it was safe, and informed the environmental health team at West Norfolk Council.

The borough council then alerted National Highways, but there were delays in the clear-up due to miscommunication with emergency services.

As a result, residents had to bear the lingering stench for two days, waiting for the authorities to get rid of it.

Jane Marshall, who lives in one of the cottages affected, said the smell was “overwhelming”.

“The police reported it as occurring on Gayton Road, which meant National Highways refused responsibility to clean it up because it wasn't reported as being on the A47,” she said.

“The council and environmental health refused to take responsibility for cleaning it because it was on the A47, leaving residents to trudge through the disgusting mess to leave their homes, and bus passengers having to stand in it.”

She said that after a lot of back and forth, National Highways eventually came out to clean it - but the workers only tackled a small piece of pavement.

“They hadn't looked across the road and seen the mess right in front of them until a resident went and spoke to them,” Ms Marshall said.

“They then realised their canister of water and brushes were not going to be up to the job.”

It was at this point that the organisation told villagers they would come back to complete the job - but Jane says they never did.

After receiving a call from one of the affected villagers, the owner of Fenland Haulage Storage, Shaun McKenna, came to see the mess himself - and residents say he was “horrified”.

The company hired a commercial power washer to resolve the issue, polished the windows with cloths, and gave those living in the cottages flowers.

“They cleaned meticulously and checked everyone was happy,” Ms Marshall added.

“Well done Fenland Haulage and Storage, for turning around a simple accidental spillage and acting quickly, unlike the authorities, when they were made aware.

“They didn't shirk any responsibility and also brought smiles and friendliness to a messy, stinky situation.”

However, National Highways told the Lynn News that the spillage was actually cleared by a contractor under the instruction of its area inspector.

“We regret the delay in clearing this spillage and apologise for the impact it had on local communities,” a spokesperson said.

Addressing its role in the hold-up, a spokesperson for Norfolk Police said: “Our officers work to keep roads safe and clear for all road users, removing hazards and preventing harm.

“Where there is an obstruction that poses a risk, we will ensure the area is safe until it can be cleared by the appropriate authority.”