ALTON'S Promotion and Marketing Forum is urging all those living, working or visiting the town to report any "offensive pong" emanating from the Mill Lane sewage farm.

The call follows confirmation by Thames Water engineer David Nicholl that "people power" is the only way Alton has of improving odour generated by the plant.

It was disappointing news for forum members, who believe the smell from the sewage farm could influence the future prosperity of the town.

Despite Mr Nicholl's claim that Thames Water had only received six complaints last year regarding the plant, forum chairman Allan Chick was keen to stress that the sewage does smell, particularly during the summer months when the aim is to entice visitors into Alton, not put them off.

Members generally agreed that, while the lack of officially registered complaints may indicate apathy, it could be that people felt there was no point in complaining.

The fact remained that the smell was viewed as "a big deterrent", not just to visitors but to the business community in an area earmarked by East Hampshire planners as "the best bet for light industrial development" in the town.

Mr Nicholl pointed out that three years ago Thames Water had sent out a questionnaire asking for comment on the odour problem from the business community on Mill Lane and neighbouring Omega Park.

The survey had attracted just six replies, indicating to Thames that there was "not a significant problem", said Mr Nicholl.

Since then, Thames had put in new covered tanks and covered some existing tanks and channels, he said.

There were, however, some areas which could not be covered, like the aeration plant.

Mr Nicholl confirmed that the delivery of raw sewage from rural cesspits, which had been the main source of noxious smell, had been transferred to the Newman Lane pumping station, but that this area had not been capped.

Members had been under the impression that work had been drawn up and costed three years ago to cap all exposed areas at Mill Lane, if enough complaints had been received.

But, Mr Nicholl confirmed, this had not been done. Nor was it on the programme for the next three to five years.

Thames Water, he explained, was driven by Ofwat and had to comply with standards related to such issues as effluent quality, flooding, and discharge into rivers, but these regulations did not cover odour.

While pointing out that there was "no such thing as an odour-free site", Mr Nicholl warned that any work done on site with regard to odour reduction would be funded via local water rates.

Furthermore, predicted growth of the town would not be expected to impact on current arrangements. As far as Thames Water was concerned, "odour at Alton was not a top priority".

The only recourse, if Alton felt there was a problem of odour at the sewage works, was to resort to "people power".

His message was clear: "The only way to get something done is for people to complain."

Anyone wishing to register offensive smells emanating from the Alton sewage plant should ring Thames Water's 24-hour hotline on 08459.200 800

p David Nicholl confirmed that Thames Water's new pumping station at Holybourne should be completed by the end of May.