Thames Water is wasting money on tankers for sewage leaks

Graham Steinsberg, who lives in Lower Radley, is lobbying Thames Water to invest money on repairing the pipes so they do not repeatedly overflow.

Mr Steinsberg said the utility company sends tankers out each winter to pump out sewage water once it has overflowed, but will not invest in repairing the pipes, even though it would be the cheaper option in the long-term.

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Hundreds of new homes are being built in the area, and the software expert said he believes this will contribute to drainage problems.

The 68-year-old, a trustee for Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: "These sewage pipes are 60 years old, and over time they have crumbled.

"There is a pumping station in Lower Radley, and each winter as the water table rises the water seeps into the pipes, which should be just dealing with effluent.

(Image: Graham Steinsberg) "We now have a special number to ring Thames Water and they send tankers to relieve the pumping station.

"Apparently it costs about £2,000 a time to send the tankers down and last winter there were 50 tanker visits."

More than 260 new homes at the Church Farm estate in Radley will put more pressure on the sewerage system, according to Mr Steinsberg, and he is appealing to Thames Water to invest in repairing the leaking sewage pipes as soon as possible.

"Each winter some residents get sewage in their gardens and blocked and overflowing drains - these tankers have been in use for years but it's a waste of money, and we have contacted our MP Layla Moran," he added.

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Mr Steinsberg has estimated that Thames Water has spent £250,000 sending tankers to Lower Radley during the past five years.

(Image: Graham Steinsberg) He said in an email: "Thames Water have identified major issues in the pipeline supporting all new developments as well as existing properties in the village of Radley. Massive volumes of surface water are entering the pipework.

"Over the last five years rather than line the pipes, TW have spent an estimated £0.25m sending tankers to take away the excess water so that the pumping station is not overwhelmed. They have this week assessed the cost of the necessary improvements at less than £100k.

"However, a Thames Water spokesperson has confirmed to us that the company does not have the funds to proceed with the work they know is essential, despite it being clear that they will spend more than this sum removing the excess water over the next couple of winters.

"We have contacted Layla Moran to intervene with the Thames Water CEO to bring some common sense to this economic madness."

Mr Steinsberg has previously acted as a spokesman for residents in Radley.

In 2011, he and his family were left temporarily homeless followed a fire at his home.

A spokesman for Thames Water, which is planning to build a massive new reservoir near Abingdon, said: “We are working through an internal funding process to secure the funds required to carry out pipe lining work in Radley. We have been keeping residents updated throughout the process and will continue to keep them fully informed.”

It is understood the pipe work could cost up to £195,000.

In July the company warned it could run out of money by next May.