HEADINGTON residents want a water company to tackle an ongoing sewage problem in their streets.

Residents called in Thames Water on Saturday after they woke to sewage running down the road.

They said it was not the first time it had happened.

Judith Marquand, who lives in St Andrew’s Road, said: “I looked out of my window and it looked as though it had been raining. This has been going on for some time.”

Thames Water confirmed they were called on Saturday afternoon but said the leak had been caused by the drain in Osler Road being blocked by “rags”.

The problem was fixed yesterday.

Residents said the sewage spilled from a manhole cover at the bottom end of Osler Road where it meets St Andrew’s Road.

Old Headington resident John Rawson said: “From time to time the manhole leaks and sewage runs down the road. It is really disgusting and we need to get Thames Water to take this seriously.”

Local city councillor Ruth Wilkinson added: “This is a longstanding problem and people are worried about possible health risks.”

Thames Water spokesman Natalie Slater said: “Unfortunately this was a large blockage caused by a build-up of rags. We are sorry for the disruption caused, but would ask customers not to flush anything other than loo roll down the drains as they do not disintegrate and cause blockages like this one.”

She added: “We have arranged for a full clean of the pipe, so that should help.”