EMERGENCY sewer work is taking longer than expected, with an estimated finishing date still unknown.

The work was meant to finish on Friday, however Thames Water now say the job is ‘proving tricky’ and an idea the timescale will be reviewed next week.

Despite the workmen not working on the road, residents have said they're 'fed up' at the mess that's been left from lorries, workmen and digging to the green patches on their estate.

The work, which is on the grass verge at the Green Road, Kiln Lane junction in Risinghurst is to reline the inside of a sewer pipe.

This will make the pipe stronger, with hope that groundwater won’t be able to seep in through any cracks or gaps in the ground.

Thames Water hope this will reduce flooding in the area.

Councillor Roz Smith said: "What needs to happen is the mess on the lovely green verges.

"We're very keen to see Thames Water return the green vergers at one of the only entrances into the Risinghurst estate."

A spokesperson at the company said that the work had been delayed because "It’s proving tricky as the liner isn’t sliding through the pipe as easily as we’d expect, so this is why the work is going to go beyond Friday."

They added: “We’ll have a better idea next week about how much longer the job will take.”