THERE is around a mile of traffic on the A259 after emergency repairs to a burst water main which is leaking a “fountain of sewage”.

Southern Water warned of delays on the coastal road yesterday near the leak in West Way, Lancing.

The water provider has been in attendance since yesterday afternoon in the area, which has seen six bursts to pipes since last October.

The water main was due to be replaced with a plastic inner lining in a matter of days before the pipe burst.

The Argus: Sewage leak in West Way, Lancing yesterdaySewage leak in West Way, Lancing yesterday

Southern Water said there will be measures in place to control traffic on the A259 to “allow work to be undertaken safely without a complete road closure”.

Queues are currently taking around 40 minutes to get through.

A spokeswoman said: “The A259 is a busy route, and we are also sorry to all road users that will be impacted by this.

Nigel Sweet, who lived in The Broadway near West Way, told The Argus: “We had been out shopping and came back to see it bubbling up, exactly the same as before.

"It’s like deja vu. It’s the same sort of scale, flooding down the road.

The Argus: It is the sixth leak since last OctoberIt is the sixth leak since last October

“It looks like it’s coming out of multiple places in the pavement and road at quite a rate.

"It’s like a little fountain of sewage if that’s not too horrible a thought.”

The rest of Southern Water’s statement yesterday said: “We are extremely sorry for the disruption caused by a burst wastewater main in West Way, Lancing. Our customer team is already onsite and we will do all we can to support people.

“We completely understand the distress felt by the residents who are yet again affected by flooding in their road.

The Argus: Sandbags in West WaySandbags in West Way

"This is particularly frustrating as we were just days away from undertaking a re-lining scheme to future proof the pipe.

“Our priority is now to stop the spill by using tankers to take on the flow of wastewater – the tankers carry out crucial work meaning that many nearby homes can continue to use their kitchens and bathrooms as normal.

"Once they are in place the pumping stations serving the pipe can be switched off and we will start clearing up.”

The stretch of road is taking around 20 minutes to get through at the moment.