CONCERNS have been raised about drainage problems at Oxford’s £440m Westgate Centre ‘causing a foul smell’.

One resident contacted the Oxford Mail to highlight the issue and said it had been a problem for months, even though the owners of the shoppers centre have been alerted.

The man, who asked to remain anonymous, added that the situation at a service yard seemed to be getting worse and was leading to people working in the area suffering breathing problems and headaches.

He said: “Drains in the Westgate Centre service yard via Turnagain Lane have been constantly blocked, with the most foul smell always covering the yard and seems to be getting worse.

Oxford Mail:

“Nothing has been done by the management of the centre for countless months about this problem, even though it has been pushed upon them countless times.

“It has been causing breathing problems and headaches for people working in this environment but yet again no action has been taken to clear out the problem.

“It has a lot of fresh food deliveries coming through this yard countless times a day, which is worrying too.”

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Sustainable drainage techniques were proposed for the Westgate Centre at the planning stage, with rainwater harvesting and attenuation tanks considered viable options.

Labour city councillor Colin Cook, also Lord Mayor of Oxford, said he would raise the concerns with the council’s environmental health team.

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He added: “If there is any kind of public health concern - and it sounds like there could be one here - then I would want our officers to check it out.

“People should be aware that they can contact our team anonymously if they do have these kind of concerns.

“It sounds like a foul drain could be blocked in the service yard, possibly with engine oil.”

Mr Cook added that part of the Westgate Centre was built over a culvert connected to Castle Mill Stream.

A spokeswoman for Westgate Oxford said: “A spokeswoman for Westgate Oxford said: “We were aware of a blocked drain in an area solely used by staff at the centre.

“Our service providers carried out a routine procedure to unblock it earlier this week. It did not present a risk to health.”