THE foul stench which has plagued residents for five years is set to be eliminated by a £700,000 investment from Anglian Water.

Families in Benfleet have been kicking up a stink about bad smells from Benfleet Sewage Treatment Works, in Watlington Road, and the frequent spilling of sewage at Richmond Park Recreational Ground.

They can now breathe a sigh of relief as Anglian Water is looking to spend £700,000 to stop the problem.

Antony Innes, from Anglian Water, said: “Earlier this year we committed to invest £350,000 to reduce the chance of odour and improve our sewage treatment works in Benfleet.

“We are hoping to secure another £350,000 investment to further improve the site and reduce the possibility of odour.

“To date, we have replaced the roof on one of the tanks and upgraded the pumps on site to minimise the chances of sewage stagnating.”

Paul Tovell, catchment manager at Anglian Water, gave a presentation to residents at a Benfleet neighbourhood meeting last week, detailing the progress made so far.

Alf Partridge, chairman of the meeting, said: “I know a lot about the work Anglian Water is doing, and just how much difference it will make.

“The council has been working very closely with Mr Tovell and, since he came on the scene, he has very rapidly found out the problem and arranged for work to be done, which I’m delighted about.”

Nicky Yetton, 30, of Woodham Park Drive, Benfleet, gained nearly 200 signatures in a petition earlier this year demanding Anglian Water take action against the problem.

She said: “The whole thing has been an absolute joke.

“The smell has been totally unbearable and it did not matter which way the wind was blowing, the stench would just fill my whole house.

“But I have to admit things have got better since it started making these improvements. Hopefully, after the work is completed, we will no longer be living with this stink.”

The water company is also working with Castle Point Council to renew and improve the overflow pipe into Richmond Park.

CONCERNED residents are urging Anglian Water to install warning signs at a park where raw sewage is being pumped into a stream.

Campaigners in Benfleet have been complaining of sewage flowing into the stream in Richmond Park Recreational Ground during heavy rain.

The issue was raised at a Benfleet neighbourhood meeting, where residents spoke out against the dangers for children who play in the area and dogs which drink from the contaminated stream.

Sharon Knight, of Philmead Road, Benfleet, who was at the meeting, said: “Anglian Water has a duty of care to put up signs warning people about the dangers of using the water there.”

David Cross, Conservative councillor for St Mary’s Ward, said: “I have been on at Anglian Water for at least year, probably more, to get a fence and signs put up. It has been a nightmare.

“But, having attended the last neighbourhood meeting, it looks like we are going to see some action.”

Antony Innes, of Anglian Water, said: “I’d like to reassure customers that discharges in Richmond Park only happen when it is absolutely necessary to protect homes from flooding.

“Improvement work to our sewage treatment works will dramatically reduce the chances, and minimise the impact, of any necessary overflows.”