Bramley Fuel Leak: Clean-up Operation Making Progress, Residents Told

Published on: 18 Apr, 2026
Updated on: 18 Apr, 2026

The Asda garage, Bramley

By David Reading

Bramley residents have been assured that the clean-up operation following the fuel leak crisis in the village is making progress but residents’ concerns remain.

The assurance came from Environmental Protection Services – the specialists dealing with the contamination – at a public meeting on Thursday night (April 16), chaired by MP Sir Jeremy Hunt.

While the exact volume of fuel still underground is unknown, the meeting was told the contaminated zone was now largely contained to an area near the petrol station. However, Hunt said it was concerning to hear that fuel will remain beneath the village for years to come.

The fuel leak is a significant environmental crisis involving the contamination of the village’s soil, water supply and telecommunications infrastructure. The leak originated from a faulty fuel line at an Asda petrol station and is estimated to have released thousands of litres of petrol into the ground over several years. In the spring of 2024, 600 Bramley residents were told not to drink tap water.

The meeting, held to keep people updated, was attended by Environmental Protection Services (EPS), Openreach and Thames Water. Asda’s absence was noted and strongly criticised by residents in the room.

Sir Jeremy Hunt: “Monitoring is continuing,” he said

After the meeting Sir Jeremy, the Conservative MP for Godalming and Ash, announced: “Monitoring continues across multiple boreholes in the centre of the village although, frustratingly, no supporting data was provided on the night.

“I will be formally requesting this so residents can see the evidence clearly. Residents were also very concerned that no boreholes appear to have been created south of the millstream around Windrush Close and EPS took this away as an action.”

The meeting heard details about how the fuel has spread – through natural sand layers underground southwards from the petrol station, but also along utility ducts and drains, particularly beneath the A281.

EPS, acting for Asda, has set out the current remediation plan:

Phase 1 (nearing completion): pumping and treating groundwater.
Phase 2: drawing air through the ground to support natural breakdown of fuel (hydrocarbons)
Phase 3: potential targeted chemical treatment, subject to constraints around infrastructure and trees.

Some residents raised health concerns which they felt may be linked to the historic leak.

Hunt said: “The advice from health agencies remains clear: any concerns should be reported to your GP, who will refer to the UK Health Security Agency if patterns emerge. At present, there is no evidence of clustering.”

He added: “Residents are absolutely right to expect clear answers – how much fuel remains, how long the clean-up will take, and what this means for the village.”

At the meeting, Openreach confirmed that work to resolve connectivity issues is still ongoing, and monitoring remains in place. While the situation is improving, special measures remain. Their fibre rollout in Bramley is currently around 31 per cent complete, the company said, and expected to finish by March 2027.

The MP added: “Thames Water have now stepped down water monitoring to monthly testing, and I will continue to ensure this remains under close review.

“The Environment Agency could not attend the meeting but I will be following up with them separately for a comprehensive update.

“Bramley has been through a great deal, but this issue will remain for years to come. I will continue to push for sustained progress, clear communication, and real accountability in the months and years ahead.”

Cllr Jane Austin: “This will take years to resolve”

After the meeting Cllr Jane Austin, leader of the Conservative Group at Waverley Borough Council, said: “I think we all left the meeting fully grasping the reality that fuel will remain in the ground for years to come.

“While Asda’s clean-up consultants are working hard and making progress, this is a complex process that will take years to resolve. Every day still I see monitoring take place in the village centre.

“We still don’t know how much fuel remains underground, and no clear data was provided on how much has actually been extracted to date. That is frustrating for Bramley residents.

“Given the complex ownership history of the site, there is a real concern that no one will ultimately be held accountable for what is a serious environmental incident.

“That is a matter for the Environment Agency, but residents will rightly expect that if environmental laws have been broken, enforcement action – including prosecution – should follow.”