Residents kicking up a growing stink over sewage plant

The Mogden Resident's Action Group's website received 63 complaints about the stench surrounding the Isleworth sewage works in February, more than for the first six months of last year.

The highest amount of complaints received by the site was 76 in September last year, but the problem is usually less noticeable in the winter.

Simon Fullalove of MRAG said: "It is absolutely atrocious and does not bode well for this summer. You can see from the complaints that there are a lot of areas where it is getting worse, south west Twickenham, London Road, where it is getting pushed down by the north winds and new people are getting outraged."

He described the online complaints system as the lifeblood of their campaign'. Every complaint made to the website is logged and forwarded to the environmental departments of both Hounslow and Richmond Councils. They also pass them on to Thames Water who have to record them. Simon said: "It is a very useful start for us and we know that for every person who complains, there are ten that don't. We need to keep the pressure on them." He encourages residents to help the campaign by logging their complaints at complaints@mogden.org.uk Alice Pugh of Whitton contacted the Times to comment on the deterioration of the situation. She said: "Going past the rugby stadium on the 281 last night, I was shocked by the smell, which was stronger than I have ever smelt it before, particularly as it is not even summer. Everyone on the bus was looking around wondering what the stench was, then I realised it was Mogden."

A spokesman for Thames Water said that they were spending £1m on combating odour.

Among this work is installing a new cleaning system in the storm tanks, to ensure there is no odour after they have been used.

He added: "We fully accept that the smell can be unpleasant for residents at times and they need to be able to carry out their day to day lives without disruption."