Residents in Southampton furious as water leak pours down pavement more than 50 days

Residents have slammed Southern Water over a leak which has seen water pour down the pavement of a residential road in Southampton for more than 50 days.

The issue in Settle Close near Shirley high street was first reported to the utility firm in June.

Two months on, water continues to flow freely along the roadside and into a nearby drain.

Southern Water said repairs have been delayed because a street lighting column need to be removed and its power supply disconnected.

Resident Lee Hulin said he could not understand why it was taking so long to fix.

Mr Hulin, 49 and an environmental consultant, said: “Those charges will go back to us as the customers. We’re all paying for this incompetence.

“This is set against water abstraction from the precious chalk stream rivers, the hosepipe ban, the proposed drought order and sewage discharges after heavy downpours.”

He added: “It’s just a race to the bottom and we are powerless because there is no alternative. The system needs to be completely overhauled.”

Water going down the road - Credit: LDRS

Paul Thaxter, 68, said he walked past the site multiple times every day.

The retired international charity director said it was a constant eyesore which was dangerous for wheelchair users and people with mobility issues.

He labelled Southern Water as “incompetent” and said residents were angry about the lack of action.

Mr Thaxter said: “Everybody else cannot waste any water but they are pumping it out 24 hours a day.

“Southern Water are totally incapable. They are basically absent without leave.”

He said the water company should be paying out for their handling of the leak at a time when residents’ bills were increasing by eight per cent on average.

Mr Thaxter added: “I think they should be publicly shamed.

“They are busy taking our money. We’re paying for this. The water company is not paying for it.

“The senior management need to be held accountable. We feel a sense of powerlessness.”

Reform UK Millbrook ward councillor Ross Mould has been pressing Southern Water to fix the leak.

He said the whole situation was deeply frustrating.

Cllr Mould, 42, said: “There is no sense of urgency to get this fixed.

“There are two utility companies involved, two subcontractors involved and it seems there is a complete breakdown in communication.

“It is just a bit of a slap in the face.

“With what went on with the Southern Water work in Shirley High Street, they are not highly thought of at the moment.”

A spokesperson for Southern Water said: “Tackling leaks is a top priority for Southern Water, particularly during periods of hot weather.

“While we always aim to complete repairs as quickly as possible, there are occasions when other infrastructure can affect our ability to safely access a leak.

“In this case, a street lighting column must be removed and its power supply disconnected before excavation can begin.

“We are working closely with SSEN, Enerveo and our highways partners to complete these works as quickly as possible so our teams can safely repair the leak and restore the site.”

A Southampton City Council spokesman said the authority had not received an application to remove any lighting at this time.

The spokesman said: “We have set protocols in place with water and electricity suppliers and work closely together to ensure an effective response to any emergency callouts.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have requested that our contractor attend the site to ensure all electricity at the location is safe.”

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