Sewage spill in Penryn causing long lines of traffic

Traffic was queuing right back past Trelawney Park on Commercial Road this morning with vehicle congestion throughout Penryn as drivers tried to get round the area.

Temporary traffic lights have been installed on Commercial Road at the Penryn Bridge traffic lights following yesterday's sewage spill.

A spokesperson for South West Water said: “Our teams worked through the night and fixed the burst pipe on Commercial Road in the early hours of this morning.

“We are now working hard to reinstate the road so we can remove the temporary traffic lights as quickly as possible.”

Raw sewage exploded from beneath the road yesterday lunchtime after, what is said to have been a pump failure.

Traffic was queued all the way back past Trelawney Park (Image: Staff)

Rainwater mixed with sewage poured into the road and into local businesses across the road as well as the Penryn River causing a pollution incident.

Commercial Road was blocked as raw sewage erupted from a crack in the road as drivers were forced to drive their cars through the brown water. There was a strong smell of sewage in the air.

South West Water have installed temporary traffic lights and says it is working hard to fix a burst main on Commercial Road, Penryn.

Raw sewage exploded onto Commercial Road yesterday (Image: Supplied)

They said they are using tankers to remove flows from the pipe so the repair can be made.

“We are using tankers to transfer flows away from the area to prevent spills to the environment,” it said on X.

“Three-way lights have been set up to help with the traffic whilst we are completing repairs, We are sorry for any disruption and noise caused by the activities taking place and we would like to thank local residents for their patience whilst we work to resolve this as quickly as we can.”

The company said is currently investing £850,000 to replace this main and stop issues like this occurring.

After completing the main phase of this work earlier in the year, its aims to complete the final stage of the scheme in May 2025.