A previously unseen photo from last year which illustrates the scale of the sewage problems on the estate

RAW sewage has flooded an estate again – and residents are demanding action.

Rivers of brown water flowed around and into Pitt House on the Loxford Garden estate in Highbury last week.

But, despite the shocking conditions, residents say the stinky deluge is nothing new and there have been several similar incidents since early last year.

Our picture (above) is a previously unseen photograph from last year which illustrates how – at its worst – foaming waste water settles outside people’s homes until it is pumped clear.

People living in Pitt House spoke to the Tribune this week after another rush of sewage soaked the grounds.

Serena Brown, who lives on the estate, said: “It’s a living hell. And that seems like such an exaggeration. But I’ve been so distraught, and crying, and making phone calls, writing email after email, and then I say to myself ‘right, come on, it’s not the end of the world’. But, it’s where you live. You shouldn’t have to have these problems.”

Pitt House residents Bob Beard, Hermella Ammanuel, Emma Urge, Serena Brown, S Ali and her son, Alinoor

She added: “I don’t want to live here anymore, that’s how I feel. But, the only option we’ve really got is to swap with someone, and who’d want to come here? I’m fed up with it. You might as well hit your head on a brick wall because you’d get more out of it. It doesn’t matter where you turn, you’re getting nothing.”

Residents in Pitt House are Peabody Housing Association tenants, but the estate is managed by Y&Y Management.

Scott Smith, who is Ms Brown’s partner, said: “It feels like no one wants to take responsibility. We’re at Peabody, then we get onto Y&Y, Peabody says it’s Y&Y’s fault and Y&Y says it’s Peabody’s fault.”

Hermella Ammanuel, another Pitt House resident, said: “It’s so smelly. It’s horrendous. We call and email [both Peabody and Y&Y], and there’s no response.

“When it floods, it’s usually there for about a month. It takes weeks for someone to come and pump it out.”

Sewage floods a pathway

Resident Emma Urge said: “We have to show people that this is happening because they don’t know.”

One part of Pitt House is home to disabled residents. The sewage floods get into the basement and stop the lifts from working, meaning people with mobility issues can no longer use them.

“My wife was disabled. She passed away last year. If she was still here, with the lifts broken, I wouldn’t be able to get her out at all,” said Bob Beard, who has lived in his flat since 2012.
Peabody told the Tribune that Y&Y Management and freeholder Avon Ground Rents are responsible for fixing the problem.

A Peabody spokes­person said: “This flooding problem is completely unacceptable and it’s taking far too long to find a lasting solution. Our residents should feel safe in their homes. And they shouldn’t have to worry about sewage flooding. We’re doing all we can to support them, including deep cleaning the communal areas.

The stinky water in the basement

“Thankfully, the flood has now been stopped. But we’re aware one lift was damaged and is now out of order. Once it’s dried out we’ll make sure the lift is repaired as quickly as possible. We’ll continue to press the freeholder and managing agents responsible to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

In an email to the Tribune, Y&Y Management said: “Y&Y Management Ltd are the managing agent of the development on behalf of our client, the freeholder, Avon Ground Rents Ltd.

“We can confirm that we are responsible for the maintenance of the drains on site and have a maintenance agreement in place on the equipment which is fully operational.

“The communal areas and pipe works are completely clear and free flowing following a recent maintenance visit by our contractors.

“Unfortunately, there was a blockage which was dealt with as soon as it was reported to us and due to a build-up of fat and grease from tenants sink deposits into the main system.”