HEREFORD drivers could be in for a stink of a commute later this week as Welsh Water discusses plans to repair sewers under the A49 Ross Road.

Hollybush Walk residents complained to the water company after they got a whiff of foul smell coming from blocked sewerage between the Hinton Community Centre and the Ross Road.

Engineers say they are in talks with Highways England to carry out a quick and safe repair by the end of the week.

Road signs have now gone up to say the road will be closed by the community centre from June 1 to June 9 from 8pm to 6am. 

And residents say sewage disposal tankers can be seen at least twice a day visiting the site to pump out foul water.

Philip Bates, who lives nearby, said: “You can smell sewage from our gardens especially during the nice quiet and warm evenings we’ve had this year.

“I followed my nose one day and it was there.

“It’s pretty bad, it overflows on the Hinton Community Centre site and has seeped through onto the pavement on the Ross Road.

“I have been told the blockage has come from upstream.

“They have told us that to fix the problem they need to dig under the A49 Ross Road."

Judith Burns, another local neighbour, said: “Just this Sunday there was sewage seeping out onto Ross Road. It was only liquid but still it isn’t nice.

“A week ago last Friday there was a funeral taking place at the spiritualist church at the community centre and the tanker was outside.”

A Welsh Water spokesperson confirmed they were dealing with an ‘operational issue’ at one of their sewers and engineers had been out to assess the area.

He said: “Due to the complex nature of the repair and position of the sewer, we are arranging for access to the site to carry out the work and are liaising with Highways England to agree this is done at the earliest opportunity to carry out the repair quickly and safely.

“We are maintaining all services to customers during this time.

“We are working to complete the repair by the end of the week and thank customers for their patience during this time.”

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson said: “Although we haven't yet been contacted by Highways England, who are responsible for the A49, we are seeking details with a view to ensuring that all necessary works can proceed in a way that minimises disruption to the network and works best for Hereford.”