Lynne Featherstone

Water bosses in charge of the major mains renewal project in Hornsey have undertaken to communicate better with local residents and look at ways of clearing up their works more effectively following a meeting with council officials attended by Lib Dem councillors Neil Williams and David Winskill.

The works, due to finish in August six weeks behind schedule, are one of the largest water mains replacements projects currently taking place in London. For many months considerable disruption has been caused to local residents as Thames Water replaces once of the leakiest parts of its London network.

Lib Dems raised many concerns over the works, including leaks, plant and equipment left unattended, inadequate repairs to roads, and poor communication with residents throughout the scheme. Thames Water undertook to come back with a number of improvements in the final weeks of the project and make residents more aware of the works.

Crouch End councillor David Winskill comments:

“This was a useful meeting, and Thames Water did listen to our concerns. Some residents in the area have put up with holes that have been left in their streets for many months, and this and other issues must be tackled before the mains renewal programme moves to Crouch End in the future.”

Cllr Neil Williams adds:

“With a very big and long lasting project such as this it is vital that Thames Water keeps in regular contact with local people so they know on a regular basis how works are progressing and how this will effect their street.One or two letters at the start of the process is not enough. We have undertaken to work with the company to ensure that residents are kept better informed.”