Is Horsham's mystery smell spreading?

Last month the County Times reported a mystery odour had been wafting into shops and businesses in East Street.

Owners described it as ‘unpleasant’ and claimed it was coming from the drainage system in the area.

On social media site Street Life a resident said she had started smelling a similar sewage smell at her home in the Causeway.

Concerns were immediately raised that the both incidents could be linked and the odour may be spreading around the town.

The issue was reported to Horsham District Council which investigated along with representatives from Southern Water and West Sussex County Council.

Speaking on behalf of all three organisations a spokesman said there was ‘no evidence’ linking the smells and both were being looked into.

The spokesman said: “Officers at Southern Water, the county and the district council have all visited East Street on numerous occasions to investigate the cause of the reported odour.

“Unfortunately the issue is proving more complicated than expected and work is continuing on a frequent basis in order to identify the origin of the odour.

“At this current time, there is no evidence to suggest the problem in East Street is linked to a recent reported incident in the Causeway. All parties are now expanding their investigations across a wider area, working with additional property owners, whilst West Sussex County Council Highways will be undertaking further investigation works on the surface water system in East Street.

“We would like to reassure residents, businesses and visitors that the odour has not been reported at a level which would make it a Statutory Nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

“However, we understand people are concerned and all parties will continue to work together to help resolve this issue as quickly as possible.”

Related stories: Mystery of ‘dreadful’ smell in town centre street

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