THE ADMINISTRATIVE might of four public bodies has been unable to stop raw sewage running into a public stream.

Just over a year ago Alan Horten began noticing wet wipes and other bathroom waste was collecting in a ditch outside his house on St Marys Road, Ascot.

On closer inspection he came to realise one of the houses on the road was discharging raw sewage.

The mixture of human and bathroom waste has been running down the road and into South Ascot Brook, a stream where children regularly play.

Despite public bodies having been notified of the problem more than a year ago, the sewage continues to spew out.

"Accepting and dealing with the situation as a matter of urgency has not been forthcoming," said Mr Horten, a retired chartered surveyor increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress.

"It will require an actual spreading of disease from the contaminated area before people spend more time explaining why it is not their department's problem.

"The council are more interested in massaging their egos of self-importance than actually getting a wrong righted."

Collectively, Adam Afriyie's office, Thames Water, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council (RBWM) and the Environment Agency have not been able to work out how to stop sewage contaminating public land.

Mr Afriyie said: “This is an awful situation which was brought to my attention on July 10, 2017.

"The source of the problem must be located and I have been in correspondence with the constituent, RBWM and the Environment Agency as it involves the complex matter of establishing riparian ownership.

“On July 21, following an investigation by Thames Water, the Environment Agency advised that the cause may be a misconnection via a private surface water drain.

"My office have spoken with RBWM Environmental Health Team today and confirmed that they are undertaking an active investigation to identify the source of the problem "I would urge everyone involved to do everything they can to resolve this problem as soon as possible for the sake of residents"

A Thames Water spokesperson said the drain was privately owned and that the company does not have any surface waters sewers in or near the road.

The Environment Agency spokesperson said Thames Water were contacted, the company then concluding it was not their responsibility, before the Local Authority Environmental Health Department was notified. Their Environmental Health Officer is currently investigating.

A council spokesperson said: “This is a complex investigation and our environmental health team are continuing their work to find the underlying factors behind the contamination of the ditch in question.

“We are working closely with Thames Water and the Environment Agency where appropriate to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.”