Stinky business: south London bike shop hit by ‘unbearable’ stench from Thames Water sewer
Source: The Guardian ·
Owner and mechanics fear for their health and future of the Herne Hill shop with no date for fixing problemThe leafy south London neighbourhood of Herne Hill is a haven for cyclists who can often be seen lapping the local parks and refuelling at the many cafes that line the suburban streets. But there is something foul in the air of this corner of the capital – and for once it’s not the traffic…
From the source
The leafy south London neighbourhood of Herne Hill is a haven for cyclists who can often be seen lapping the local parks and refuelling at the many cafes that line the suburban streets. But there is something foul in the air of this corner of the capital – and for once it’s not the traffic fumes hitting bicycle riders. A toxic stench thought to be caused by untreated sewage stuck in Thames Water drains has been emanating from the subterranean depths for months, most likely caused by the summer’s lack of rain. The stink is so acrid that the Bicycle Nation shop has had to bar some customers and its mechanics have been forced to work on the pavement outside. The owner of the shop, Tamas Polocz, has repeatedly complained to Thames Water since the smell first hit the shop in June and caused his colleague Nick to vomit. Last week the troubled water company told Polocz it accepted that a mains sewer directly beneath the shop was to blame, but it has yet to offer him and his team of 11 any…