Stinky business: south London bike shop hit by ‘unbearable’ stench from Thames Water sewer

Bicycle Nation

Tamas Polocz's bike shop, Bicycle Nation, in Herne Hill, south London, is facing an existential threat due to an "unbearable" and "toxic" stench emanating from a Thames Water sewer directly beneath its premises. The odour, described with terms like "cabbage," "teargas," "onions," "spicy BBQ," and repeated references to "shit," has been plaguing the shop since June, forcing mechanics to work on the pavement and deterring customers. This severe operational disruption has made the business unsustainable, with staff frequently evacuating and experiencing significant physical and mental health issues from repeated exposure to the gassy fumes, including one colleague who vomited.

The shop's board member, Harriet Talbot, highlighted the precariousness of relying on weather changes to alleviate the problem, emphasizing the urgent need for a permanent solution rather than temporary relief. Polocz meticulously logs each incident on a "smell chart," documenting the frequency and intensity of the putrid wafts that occur at least five times a day. The impending cold weather further complicates their ability to work outdoors, as they cannot sustain "half a day in the shop and half outside on the pavement," pushing the business closer to potential closure and highlighting the severe economic impact of unresolved infrastructure issues on small enterprises.

Thames Water

Thames Water, the utility company responsible for the sewer, initially dismissed Polocz's complaints, suggesting a gas leak was the cause, which was later definitively ruled out by the local gas supplier after extensive tests. After months of persistent complaints and what Polocz described as a battle, the company finally accepted liability last week, acknowledging that a mains sewer directly beneath the shop was indeed to blame. However, this crucial admission has not been accompanied by a concrete date for resolving the problem, leaving Polocz and his team of 11 employees in a state of prolonged uncertainty and distress.

The exact cause of the stench is believed to be linked to a lack of rain, which prevents untreated sewage from being adequately flushed out of the pipes, leading to increased microbial activity and the emission of foul-smelling gases. An engineer from Thames Water also informed Polocz that a crucial cast-iron ventilation pipe, previously designed to draw odours away from the shop, had not been replaced. This suggests a potential failure in maintenance or infrastructure upgrades, exacerbating the problem and prolonging the suffering of the affected business and its staff.

Herne Hill

The affluent south London neighbourhood of Herne Hill, typically known as a cycling haven with numerous cafes and local parks, is now experiencing an unusual and deeply unpleasant environmental challenge. The persistent sewer stench not only impacts Bicycle Nation but also raises broader concerns about public health and the general amenity of the area. Professor Barbara Evans, chair of public health engineering at Leeds University, warned that the emitted gases could include methane, indicating potentially unsafe working conditions for those exposed to the "unbearable" smell.

The situation in Herne Hill echoes historical infrastructure challenges, drawing parallels to London's "Great Stink" of the Victorian era that prompted significant sanitation reforms. While the immediate focus is on the bike shop's survival, the unresolved sewer issue could have wider implications for other local businesses and residents, potentially affecting property values, local commerce, and the overall appeal of the neighbourhood. This incident underscores how critical robust and well-maintained public utility infrastructure is to the economic and social well-being of urban communities, and how its failure can severely disrupt local economies.