WATER MAIN MISERY HIGHLIGHTS FAILURES OF THAMES WATER

25.11.03

A burst water main in Muswell Hill, N10 cut off the water supply to households for 24 hours causing misery for those waking up on Monday morning. This coincided with severe flooding in neighbouring Islington following another burst water main. Liberal Democrats in Haringey are deeply concerned by the incident in Muswell Hill and the slowness of Thames Water to react and resolve the situation.

The water main that burst was situated at the junction of Woodside Avenue and Muswell Hill, N10. Although Thames Water successful diverted water from other sources it left homes in the N6, N8, N10 and parts of N22 area with very low pressure or no water at all. Thames Water is investigating what caused the 16-inch gash in the pipe.

Muswell Hill councillor Lynne Featherstone is keen to seek assurances from Thames Water that the problem of burst water mains will not become a regular occurrence in Haringey as it has in Islington. There, residents have had to endure continuing problems due to poor quality repairs and an ageing water system. She will be requesting detailed plans of what Thames Water is doing to upgrade the water infrastructure in the borough.

Cllr Featherstone comments: "I am writing to Thames Water to find out how such widespread disruption to water supplies has been caused.

"Public utilities, whether privatised or not, are vital public services, and I will be seeking answers to establish that investment and management of the water infrastructure is adequate in our part of north London."

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