The MP for Falmouth and Truro has said raw sewage pouring onto the main road through Penryn was “something that should never happen”.

Jayne Kirkham told the Packet she was “shocked” by the sight of raw sewage pouring onto Commercial Road and the Penryn River yesterday lunchtime.

She said: “While I’m shocked by the sewage outbreak on Commercial Road in Penryn. I've been in communication with South West Water and they have assured me this morning that overnight they have fixed the burst pipe and that while temporary traffic lights remain in place the work is being completed quickly.

“I’ve also contacted the Highways Authority regarding the roads affected and have spoken to the Environment Agency this morning.

“While I welcome the efforts of South West Water and hope the issue is resolved soon, I have made it absolutely clear that this is something that should never happen.”

A spokesperson for South West Water said in its latest update: “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.”

Jayne Kirkham said on the wider issue of the state of the water system, raw sewage running through the streets is severely troubling alongside all the other issues of pollution.

The MP for Falmouth and Truro said the Labour government has already taken strong measures to start fixing the broken water supply by setting up a new Flood Taskforce to deal with incidents like flash flooding; ring-fenced investment for vital water industry and strengthened compensation for affected customers.

“The new Water (Special Measures) Bill is currently going through parliament. It will deliver on our manifesto pledges to clean up the water sector, including giving the Environment Agency more staff and resources to bring criminal charges against law-breaking water executives and create new tougher penalties and ban the payment of bonuses to water bosses if they fail to meet standards,” she said.

She said Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, who visited Falmouth in the summer, has also announced the biggest ever investment in the water industry and a major review into Britain’s water system.

“It's a far-reaching review that will shape and transform our entire water system. We simply cannot have polluted drinking water, sewage in our bathing waters and drains exploding in our streets," she said.