PEOPLE in Acton are concerned for their health following a long summer of stench from pumping station storm tanks.

The tanks, behind Greenend Road, have been releasing the odour since June.

Don Tanswell, 59, chairman of Southfield Park Triangle Residents’ Association, is worried about the effect on residents’ lifestyle.

“The odour has greatly affected local schools and a scout hut, which have had to cancel summer events,” he said.

“It’s just not conducive to pleasant educational activities.”

He said there had been reports of pregnant women becoming ill and residents being forced to close windows on the hottest days of the year.

Vikash Reebye, senior research fellow at Hammersmith Hospital, is concerned that flies attracted to the odour may pose a health risk to children.

“It only takes one incident involving a six-months-old child for this to turn from a serious issue to a catastrophic one,” he said.

“I was mortified at how seriously mismanaged the Acton storm tank site is when I noticed children playing football immediately next to the tanks.”

Thames Water installed a new system last December and started receiving complaints in mid-June when the odour began to spread. It says it has plans to address the issue.

A spokesperson said: “We're very sorry residents experience an increase in odour when the storm tanks are in use.

“We've had technical problems with the cleaning systems in the tanks but we're working hard to resolve this.”

Residents are not convinced and called a meeting, which was attended by around 80 people including six from the water company.

Thames Water presented their plans for the project but residents, such as Mr Tanswell, remain unconvinced.

He said: “We believe we will have to dig in on this for the next couple of years.”

One resident, who preferred not to be named, added: “We have a neighbour who’s 103 and she has to have her windows open on hot days.

“I’m disappointed with the response from Thames Water and it feels like we have been palmed off.”