Noisy manholes on Woodlands Lane are the responsibility of “several” utility companies, South Gloucestershire Council says, and repairs are up to them.

The Liberal Democrats had claimed that the authority did not know who owned the manholes after complaints from nearby residents - But the council says they are “mostly telecoms”.

In a statement the authority says they have tried to resolve the situation with the companies involved.

“We have been proactive and have been in contact with the various companies and have informed them that they need to undertake the repairs required and one of these is due to be done shortly.

“Unfortunately, no one utility is responsible for all of the manholes which need repair and each have the right to effect their repairs themselves and will do so independently of each other.”

One of the two noisy manholes is due to be repaired soon but the Lib Dems want both repaired at the same time.

Noise from a manhole cover is Woodlands Lane is set to continue after South Gloucestershire Council admitted it did not know who owned it - so could not replace it.

The cover, ironically, is feet from another which will be replaced during resurfacing work due in the summer.

The Liberal Democrats recently campaigned to have potholes on the road repaired and one of the manhole covers was included in that work.

But it appears the authority has decided to only replace one of the two faulty covers as, according to the Lib Dems, the council “does not know who owned the second one”.

Ward councillor Ronnie Conway-Haskins said “They are both noisy and are keeping residents awake at night.”

Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate John Kiely said: “The council are responsible for the public highway, so for them to say that they may not do a noisy manhole cover which is feet away from one they have agreed to do its a waste of public resources.

“Also it will not give respite to a number of local residents who have endured a lot of sleepless nights since the manhole covers became loose. I do hope that council will see sense over this matter.”