SIX years of misery and the stink of sewage around homes in Cross Hills looked set to end this week as contractors finally started work on a blocked drain.

Householders in Holmroyd Avenue and Burnroyd Avenue have been plagued by the effect of a blocked sewage pipe, which has resulted in sewage backing up and coming through household drains. One woman told the Herald she had even found sewage in her dishwasher.

Anna Duggan, who has lived on Holmroyd Avenue for over 35 years, said the problem had been going on for around six years on and off, but only recently had anything been done about it.

"I was concerned about the health risk. There has been fungi growing in my store room and I have had to open all the windows to get rid of the smell in my house," she said.

Another neighbour added that they could not shower as when they flushed the toilet sewage would come up into the tray.

Increasingly concerned about what she saw as a health hazard Mrs Duggan was even more angry when contractors who had come to clear the drain last week left the open sewage pipe with just a wooden plank covering it.

"There is a nursery next door to me, and the children walk down here to get to school. Last night (Tuesday) there was a whole group of children playing around it. It is just unacceptable to have open sewage pipes in a road," she said.

Craven Housing, which own Mrs Duggan's house and the bungalows on Burnroyd Avenue, instructed contractors to try to identify and rectify the problem when it was made aware of it. But it maintains that responsibility for the sewer belongs to Yorkshire Water.

David Allison, head of housing services, said: "This started last Wednesday (July 16). By Wednesday tea time it was apparent that Yorkshire Water would be required to clear a blockage in the main sewer. They were notified about this on the same day and promised action immediately.

"Unfortunately this did not happen until Friday July 18."

There were added problems when the pressure jet used to flush the blockage out of the drain was inserted 'uphill' rather than 'down hill' forcing it into a disused drain underneath Mrs Duggan's yard.

"Yorkshire Water has promised to clean out Mrs Duggan's sewer by Thursday (yesterday)," Mr Allison continued.

As the Herald went to press work was ongoing to replace a section of the sewer pipe, which had been blocked.

Mr Allison added: "We regret any inconvenience or unpleasantness caused as a result of this blockage and will work with the other owners of property in the area if the problem should arise in the future.

"However this is not an issue that comes directly under the responsibility of Craven Housing as Yorkshire Water are responsible for the maintenance of public sewers.

"To the best of our knowledge we have not been aware of any ongoing problem for the past six years, although we are aware that this is not the first time there has been a blockage."

An officer from the environment health department at Craven District Council paid a visit to the street on Tuesday. She told the Herald that apart from the 'unpleasant aroma' there was no risk to public health.

The Herald attempted to contact Yorkshire Water for a comment, but no statement had been issued before the paper went to press.