Highway contractor accidentally discharged wastewater onto private land in West Sussex village
A highway maintenance contractor accidentally discharged wastewater onto private land in Henfield, West Sussex County Council has confirmed.
The mistake was made by a worker, who believed it was an approved disposal point.
The incident happened at Southdown Enterprise Park, on Shoreham Road, at around 7.40am on Thursday, July 9.
Sean Preston, managing director of Southdown Engineers, said a tanker, identified as operating as West Sussex Highways, had entered his premises. It then discharged foul-smelling muddy liquid, onto a private roadway and into a privately-owned surface water drainage system.
The incident was reported to West Sussex County Council, with Mr Preston receiving a reference number.
In an email to the council, he said: “At 07.38 this morning, a DAF tanker truck registration YK25 CXN, written up as 'West Sussex Highways' entered our premises without authorisation at BN5 9SE and discharged some foul smelling liquor onto our roadway and into our storm drain.”
He raised concerns about the drainage system, which he said was privately owned and maintained by the business.
In an email to this newspaper, Mr Preston said he was ‘so angry’, adding: “If I don't pay for a truck sweeper the clean up myself I'll be left with their stinking mess.”
He also contacted Horsham District Council's fly-tipping team, which he said ultimately appeared to have the most effect in resolving the issue.
West Sussex County Council has since confirmed that one of its highway maintenance contractors was responsible for the discharge.
A spokesperson said: “Our investigation established that a highway maintenance contractor discharged highway wastewater at this location in error, having believed it to be an approved disposal point and being unaware that the land was privately owned.
“Once the matter was brought to our attention, we raised it with the contractor and reminded them of the required operational procedures. The contractor returned to the site to carry out additional clean-up works and offered a direct apology to the site owner.
“We recognise the concerns raised and have taken steps to help ensure that an incident like this does not happen again.”
Mr Preston said the contractor subsequently sent the driver and another member of staff back to clean up the site.
He also said he received a phone call and email from the contractor's manager.
The incident has now been resolved, with the council saying it has taken steps to help prevent a similar incident from happening again.