AN ELDERLY couple say their lives have become blighted by a deafening noise made every time a vehicle goes over a loose manhole cover outside their home.

Ronald Smithers said the problem first started around 17 weeks ago, and he has been trying ever since to get someone to come and fix the cover in Chineham Lane, but without success.

The 80-year-old, from Trinidad Close, in Popley, said the noise happens every few minutes throughout the day and night, making his life “unbearable”.

The pensioner, whose wife Brenda has Alzheimer’s, told the Gazette: “It’s driving us up the wall. We can’t go and sit in the garden. If the window is open, you can hear it. It’s becoming unbearable at the moment.”

Mr Smithers has tried to contact Thames Water about the matter, but said every time he calls, he can’t get through.

With no access to the internet, the retired cleaner was at a loss as to how to resolve the issue, saying: “Every time I ring it’s engaged, and I can’t get through. We only have a phone to communicate. I called Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, but they said it’s nothing to do with them, it’s Thames Water.

“We have a TV in our front room, but I have to go into the bedroom to watch TV because the noise is so bad. It’s every few minutes and it’s really loud. If a bus or a coach comes past, it’s boom boom. The road is used by lots of traffic, people use it as a short cut. There’s a notice that says 20mph, but they come down at 70mph and the manhole cover really does rattle.”

Mr Smithers and his wife have lived in their home since 1994 and said this is the first time they have experienced any problems.

“If it’s a nice summers day I would like to sit in my garden, but at the moment I can’t,” said Mr Smithers, adding: “It’s become terrible.”

Councillor David Potter, who represents Popley East, has been trying to help the couple resolve the issue, but said both Hampshire County Council and Thames Water have been blaming each other, and using Covid-19 as an excuse to not sort out the problem.

He told the Gazette: “The failure of such public bodies to respond in a caring way when it is their responsibility appalls me. Everything is online and no human response is offered. You can imagine how difficult online contact is for the elderly couple.”

A Thames Water spokesman said: "We're really sorry that some customers have been disturbed by a loose manhole cover.

"It is being treated as a high priority and our engineers are expected to begin work on the repair in the next few days."

*Thames Water fixed the manhole cover within three days of being contacted by the Gazette.