Shoppers kicking up a stink in Walsall

May 16 2008 By Gurdip Thandi

A "DISGUSTING" mystery pong is making life a misery for shoppers and businesses in Walsall town centre.

Walsall Council, Severn Trent Water and the Environment Agency are at a loss to explain the sewage like smell which keeps popping up in the Civic Square area of the town centre.

Rajinder Johal, who runs Johal News in Leicester Street, Walsall, said the problem has existed for up to seven years and is creating a poor image for the town.

Coun Adrian Andrew, cabinet member for regeneration at Walsall Council, said all the agencies needed to meet to discuss the problem and try to get to the bottom of it.

Mr Johal said: "The smell really is awful. I have been here seven years and on some days it can really knock you out.

"It is disgusting and I do feel embarrassed. I have heard comments from people walking past who say things like 'Oh, what's that smell coming from the shop'.

"As we sell food it doesn't help us. I would imagine tourists who visit the town go away with the impression that Walsall is a smelly place."

Coun Andrew said Walsall Council had checked the drains it is responsible for and found they were clear.

He said: "I have smelled it myself but if we can't find the source of it then we can't do much about it.

"But it isn't the best advert for the town. It is not as bad as it once was but on the odd occasion, you get a whiff of it.

"We have done some work on the drains we are responsible for. We have spoken to Severn Trent Water and they need to look at the sewers."

A spokesman for Severn Trent Water said: "There are sewage pipes that run under Walsall but they are enclosed and underground. It is impossible that they could cause an odour and we have had no complaints."

Another theory is the smell is coming from the River Tame, which runs through the town.