Thames Water says it has launched a full investigation into a series of burst water mains which caused flooding chaos on London’s streets.
The firm’s director Bob Collington said he was “personally devastated” after hundreds of people had to be evacuated and homes and businesses were ravaged in three separate incidents in just one week in the run-up to Christmas.
He revealed that the capital’s pipes are “well over 100 years old” in places.
Some 350 people had to be evacuated from their homes in Stoke Newington on Sunday after a 30 inch water pipe in Northwold Road burst.
On Saturday, there were similar scenes of roads, homes and businesses underwater in Blackheath, south east London, after a 12-inch water pipe ruptured.
Islington was also hit by severe flooding last Monday as a torrent of water wreaked havoc on the high street following another burst water main. Around 100 people were sent to nearby pub the Steam Passage Tavern as their homes flooded.
Allow Exco Player content
This content is provided by Exco Player and may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to load the content.
Now Thames Water director Mr Collington has said that understanding what went wrong is “a top priority” following an “extremely difficult week”.
“It has been an extremely difficult week, and, having visited and spoken to a number of those impacted, I am personally devastated for those customers who have suffered flooding so close to Christmas,” he said.
“We are doing everything we can to help them and will make sure they are not left out of pocket for what has happened.
“The bursts are a clear reminder that we need to keep investing in our ageing and sometimes fragile network, with many pipes in London well over 100 years old.
Allow Exco Player content
This content is provided by Exco Player and may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to load the content.
“I have started a full investigation into recent events to understand what has gone wrong and, as a top priority, will look at every single way possible to reduce the risk of any further disruption.”
Read More
Thames Water maintains a total of 10,000 miles of water pipes in London. The firm said it had replaced more than 1,700 miles of Victorian water pipes and invested over £1 billion a year during the last decade.
The flow of water from the burst pipe in Stoke Newington was stopped by 3pm and Thames Water is now working with emergency services to minimise damage.