Council Demands Answers from Thames Water

After third serious water main failure within the space of a month

Councillors at the London Borough of Hounslow have expressed their dismay at Thames Water for another burst water main last week which caused flooding to Brentford High Street and loss of water supply to parts of the borough.

The incident, the third serious water main failure within the space of a month in the borough, resulted in the closure of Brentford High Street for over a week and caused severe damage to buildings in the area.

The council assisted in the response by supplying sandbags, signage and temporary barriers and sent officers to the scene to coordinate the local authority response.

The latest burst water main incident came after severe water main bursts in Isleworth and Lampton Road in Hounslow, which caused serious damage to residential property across the borough and led to the council setting up a rest centre and finding temporary accommodation for displaced residents.

Cllr Ruth Cadbury, Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council, who is also the executive member for regeneration and a Brentford ward councillor, said, “We are deeply concerned at the recent spate of flooding in our borough and demand answers from Thames Water.

“Homes and businesses have been flooded, making people’s lives a misery. Businesses have been losing a huge amount of trade at a time when we’re working with the High Street community to encourage more commerce to the area. Massive congestion has taken place on the surrounding roads inconveniencing everyone using the roads both east and west through the borough.

Cllr Jagdish Sharma, Leader of Hounslow Council, added, “Despite Thames Water investing millions of pounds into replacing the old Victorian water mains across London, it’s clear we still have significant problems after these incidents.

“In such a short period of time three major incidents of burst pipes have caused misery and disruption to normal life; the fact that thousands of pounds of damage to properties and household furniture has occurred is very worrying for us. I hope Thames Water also will agree that they need to think seriously about this and take appropriate action.

“We need to know what Thames Water is doing to address the continuing problem so that residents’ lives can get back to normal.”

September 14, 2010