FOUL water and overflowing drains have been plaguing Bourton residents for more than a fortnight.

The unwanted leakages have been spilling out of three manhole covers in the centre of the village while solid sewage and toilet paper have found their way on to Station Road.

Bob Warrick, aged 73, of Rissington Road, who lives opposite the pumping station, said the water had been coming up through manhole covers near his house and flooded his garden.

“Water and raw sewage is coming out of the field at the back of me,” he said. “The one in Station Road was leaking solid sewage. I’ve managed to dig a trench down the side of my property because the sewage water has been going in my garden.

“It’s not very nice. Why would sewage come out the pipes if the pumps were working correctly?”

As many as 15 tankers have been travelling to and from the pumping station between 6.30am and 11pm every day for the past seven weeks, causing disturbance for residents.

Meanwhile, Fiona Fornby, media officer for action group Bourton Against Development (BAD), said the problems proved the village’s waste water and sewerage system would not cope with the pressure of 148 new homes which are being planned on land north of Roman Way.

More than 110 residents packed the Victoria Hall to hear about the application from Bloor Homes in a recent meeting.

“Our existing infrastructure is not up to taking on anything else,” said Ms Fornby. “It would be madness to agree planning permission.”

David Barker, 58, who lives opposite the pumping station, said: “It seems so obvious the system isn’t coping.

“As things stand, what on earth is going to happen if this planning application is given the okay?”

Councillor Tim Faulkner said: “We have an antiquated system right through the village that needs looking at.“ Craig Rance, spokesman for Thames Water, said: “While our sewer network is largely working as it should, it has been struggling with the sheer volume of water going through it after England's wettest year on record.

“The tankers will continue to be there for as long as they are needed.”