RESIDENTS in Tavistock this week claimed that raw sewage leaking from a drain in Deer Park Lane is being ignored by local authorities.

Peter Tugwell said the problem has existed for around four weeks. He said he had tried several times to contact South West Water about the leakage ? the company eventually informed him last week that the drain was a private one, owned by West Devon Borough Council.

Mr Tugwell said he contacted the borough, only to be told that nothing could be done until ownership of the drain was established.

Mr Tugwell said: ?It?s pretty unpleasant at times, but it?s the health department?s attitude that truly beggars belief.

?I can?t believe they are not dealing with it. I would have thought their first priority was to deal with the potential health problem. It?s in a position where children walk through on a daily basis to get to St Peter?s School.

?I think it?s truly amazing that establishing ownership of the drain appears to be more important than dealing with potential health risks.

Resident John MacDonald said: ?Our reasoning is, ?Do something about it and sort out who pays later? ? it?s an environmental hazard.

?When the drain gets overloaded in heavy rain, raw sewage and toilet paper just flows out. It?s been happening now for weeks and no-one will do anything about it ? both the council and South West Water disown it.?

Andrew Roantree, waste water services manager for South West Water, said: ?The public sewer has been checked and it?s running freely ? it?s our view it?s a private drains issue and there is almost certainly a blockage in a private drain that?s creating the problem.?

Alison Stoneham, spokesperson for West Devon Borough Council, said the council was trying to find out who owned the sewer and said officers and officials from South West Water were due to meet tomorrow (Thursday) to ?work the situation through?.

She said in the view of environmental health officers, the surcharging sewer was ?not a major health hazard?, although she admitted it must be ?very unpleasant? for people living in the area.