Car lock and wing mirrors removed from Hull sewer

Yorkshire Water is warning against disposing of unwanted items in sewers after finding a steering wheel lock, engine cover, and caravan towing mirrors in a Hull sewer. 

The items were found to have blocked the sewer on Bricknell Avenue in Hull and caused sewage to escape the network into the gardens of nearby properties. 

The items were discovered by Yorkshire Water’s customer field services team after they removed the blockage and returned the sewers flows back to normal.  

Clare Spence, regional operations manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “Our teams clear blockages in our network every day and have seen all manner of unsuitable items – from stanley knifes to boots, but a car lock and wing mirrors are new ones to add to list. 

“It’s important that people realise that there are consequences to using manholes as bins to throw away unwanted items. In this case, the blockage caused sewage to back up and escape the network, impacting gardens of nearby properties.  

“All we want in the network is the three Ps – pee, poo and toilet paper – and free from showers, baths, kitchen appliances and sinks. Anything else won’t break down and will ultimately result in a blockage like this one.”