Sewer Shock For Chinnor Residents

OVER 100 residents in Chinnor were shocked today to receive a letter telling them that they must deal with a blocked sewer pipe connecting to their homes by 11am tomorrow, or receive a bill for the work from the district council.
One resident, who lives in Riders Way, Chinnor, contacted Thame News today, to say that he and his neighbours were stunned to be told that the sewer was owned privately by the homes in seven streets, including his and Hedgerley, and therefore was the responsibility of the residents to deal with the blockage.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Health department of SODC told Thame News that, because the blockage is overflowing a man hole, it is a health hazard and consequently, it is the legal responsibility of the council to ensure that it is dealt with within 48 hours.
“If it is not,” said the spokesman, “our contractors with deal with the problem and send the bill to the residents.”
The spokesman insisted that maps and other documents show that the sewer pipe in question is not publicly owned (which would make it the responsibility of Thames Water), and has never been since the housing in the effected area was built.
At the time of writing, it was not clear whether the Deeds to properties effected would show the ownership of sewer pipes.
The residents who contacted Thame News however, seemed
unaware that they owned any part of the sewage system.