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The fatberg, estimated at being between seven and 10 metres in length, is being tackled by teams round the clock, with engineers having jetted water into the sewer for 26 straight to try and shift the solid fat. The team estimates it will be at least another 24 hours before it’s clear – and hasn’t ruled out having to work through Christmas to shift it. 

Clare Ryman, Senior Network Technician, said: “It’s harder than concrete and that makes it extremely slow going for the team. We can’t leave it or the sewer will start to back up again which would be just awful for our customers, especially this time of the year.

“We’re having to tanker away the water we’re jetting in, as well as the fat, and we’re also hacking off sold chunks of fat – it’s not the most pleasant job in the world but it’s got to be done.

“We’re hopeful we’ll get through it all in the next 24 hours or so but, if we don’t, we’ll be monitoring it carefully over Christmas and doing whatever needs to be done to keep everything working for our customers.”

At the moment, the team is unable to get a CCTV camera into the blockage to get a detailed view because of the sheer quantity of solid fat in the sewer.

Especially at this time of year, Severn Trent is asking its customers to not put fats, oils and greases down their kitchen sinks. Instead, you can put them into a container and bin them, or get a free gunk pot from Severn Trent by going to www.stwater.co.uk/sewer.

While the jetting is ongoing, there is a lane closure in place on Sidbury Road which will continue while the crews battle the monster fatberg.