Locals in Chichester, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, in West Sussex, have been left fearing the French are sending smells their way again – with some people even posting that they “feel sick”
A UK seaside town dubbed the worst in the country has been struck by a sudden “horrible smell” which some residents are attributing to – the French.
Bognor Regis has had a tough year. Earlier this summer the readers of Which? condemned the home of Butlins as the worst seaside town going. Former Bognor resident and current Mirror Online Money Editor described the town as “sad and depressing”.
Now the residents there are having to contend with something else that’s leaving an unwelcome taste in the mouth. A “strong smell of gas” has been floating around Bognor, as well as nearby Chichester and Littlehampton in West Sussex.
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Back in 2013, the identical region suffered from a stench, nicknamed Le Pong, which was traced back to a chemical facility in Rouen, France. Now, locals worry that the French might be wafting odours across the Channel once more – with some residents even claiming they “feel sick.”
On Facebook, residents are airing their grievances about a mysterious odour, with one person posting: “We had it in The Close two afternoons running. We thought it was from a dirty exhaust as a van had just pulled away! It was certainly a horrible smell and definitely like gas!”
Another local chimed in: “Was working over wick Littlehampton Tuesday and it stank of gas/egg over there. Had to shut the windows.” A third resident remarked: “It stinks again now over east beach side. Sort of sulphurous and gassy. Woke me up at dawn as well.”
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service believe the smell is drifting from the sea, but advise anyone feeling poorly to ring 999. A spokesperson said: “We have had a number of calls from people along the south coast concerned they can smell gas. It is believed that this might be coming from offshore, rather than a local domestic gas leak.
“We would always encourage anyone who thinks they smell gas to contact their utilities provider. If you begin to feel unwell, always dial 999 for emergency medical care.”
The coastguard has confirmed they responded to reports of a gas odour, but discovered no reason for alarm. A spokesperson said: “A report of the smell of gas and diesel at Selsey Bill was made to HM Coastguard at about 5.20pm on 15 July. West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was informed. Investigations found no evidence of anything untoward.”
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While some suspect a domestic gas leak might be the culprit, SGN spokesperson Dan Brown has refuted claims that the odour originates from their network. He said: “We understand residents might be concerned about the smell in the air in these towns over the last couple of days.
“We’ve responded to dozens of reports, and our engineers have carried out investigations and safety checks at each reported location. There’s nothing to suggest the smell is coming from our gas network.”
Cllr Paul Wells described the aroma as a “very rich, potent gas smell” that has been causing people to “feel faint”, yet he admits the source remains a mystery. The Lib Dem councillor for Bognor Regis Town Council shared: “I’ve not been able to find out where the smell has originated from.”
Speculation is rife, with some believing the stench may have drifted in from the Channel. Cllr Wells plans to bring up the issue at the forthcoming Town Council meeting.
In an online statement, Chichester District Council said: “The smell is described as strong and unpleasant like a ‘rich, potent gas smell’ or similar to rotten eggs. It has been reported along the south coast of England, including Chichester, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton as well as Kent, and parts of Surrey and London.
“The smell is believed to be caused by a gas leak from a chemical factory in Rouen, France, which the wind has carried across the English Channel. While the odour has caused concern and has prompted calls to emergency services, it is not considered dangerous and does not pose a health risk. The gas contains mercaptan, an additive used to give gas a detectable odour, even though natural gas itself does not have an odour.”
