Efforts to identify and perhaps even eliminate the notorious ‘Peterborough Pong’ will see roadways in Peterborough city centre close this June.

Bourges Boulevard is set to close for ”no more than five days” from Tuesday, June 16 with works expected to take place overnight only between 8pm and 6am.

It is only the southbound stretch of Bourges Boulevard, as it lies between the Crescent Bridge roundabout and Rivergate, that will be closed.

According to Anglian Water, the works being carried out are tankering and investigatory works to investigate the on-going odour issue.

There have been complaints about the Peterborough Pong for many years

placeholder image — There have been complaints about the Peterborough Pong for many years

The Peterborough Pong: What is causing the stench on Bourges Boulevard

This ongoing odour issue – known locally as the ‘Peterborough Pong’ – has become a persistently dogged problem, lingering around Bourges Boulevard whenever there are prolonged spells of hot and/or wet weather.

It has been speculated that The Pong may be the result of unsuitable items being deposited into the city’s sewage system, although no definitive reason has been established – up until now.

Perhaps the act of tankering – using heavy-duty vacuum tankers to collect, transport, and dispose of liquid waste or sewage – will discover the true source of the nefarious odour and lead to its demise?.

This latest strategy follows an announcement in April by Anglian Water to fit specialist smell-trapping covers to drains near the Park Inn on Bourges Boulevard in a bid to counter the worst effects of The Pong.

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: “The nature of the work we do does mean there are smells from time to time, and hotter temperatures can make these more noticeable.

“Our team is carrying out investigations on our nearby sites and assets to find a solution for this odour. "

Motorists likely to be affected by the upcoming road closure are advised to use the following alternative routing: Thorpe Road, Nene Parkway, Oundle Road, London Road, Town Bridge and Rivergate.