Leak nears two years as repair row goes on

Buy photos » Coun Gay Hopkins is calling for urgent action with Sheila Mavillin, Rev Nasief Kawar and Janet Cooper. Picture by Neville Collins 32012013ncr1

WATER has been left leaking out into an Oakenshaw street for almost two years as there is confusion about who is responsible for fixing it.

Now Coun Gay Hopkins is urging Severn Trent and Redditch Borough Council to finally solve the problem which repeatedly floods the pathway along Paddock Lane.

The path is also near a bus stop which means residents standing nearby get soaked as vehicles go past and because the water is stagnant it causes a terrible smell.

The leak was first reported in September last year, although it was believed to be an issue before, and while Severn Trent came out to inspect the site they passed responsibility onto Redditch Borough Council saying further tests needed to be carried out.

The firm also imply the problem is a land drainage issue and are pinning the blame on a nearby pond.

But the borough council say test results are inconclusive and as the development is 30 years old any drainage issues would have occurred by now and the evidence points to the water being from a mains source.

Coun Hopkins said residents were frustrated and just wanted an end to the situation.

“I am very concerned the residents of Paddock Lane have had to put up with this problem for so long. It has become a health and safety issue. Also two years of leaking water is disgusting when we are asked to save water.

“Paddock Lane can be a real problem in the winter and this flooding will become an ice rink and make it even more difficult for people who live here.

“This problem needs to be resolved quickly as people have put up with it for long enough.”

A spokeswoman for Severn Trent said: “We have carried out extensive investigations into the source of the leak on Paddock Lane, including testing the water to establish if it is coming from our water main or another source.

“We’re planning to carry out further work in the area to confirm the source and we will complete any necessary work. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this has caused local residents and assure them we are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”

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