Shropshire Councillor Heather Kidd (Chirbury and Worthen) has taken Severn Trent Water to task for cutting off residents in the Lane to Shop Farm in Rorrington, near Chirbury, overnight.
I am frankly appalled. This leak has been reported off and on for the last 2 years. On Thursday they came with a closure and opened up a hole. They left it open so that residents could not get in and out overnight. Had an ambulance been required they would have been unable to attend. A doctor was walking on Rorrington Hill and had his vehicle stuck there. A friend had to pick him up.
“They subsequently came back and told residents they were just filling the hole and had not mended the leak. When I was up there yesterday water was still pouring out from under the new tarmac. There are also other leaks in the lane which haven’t been touched.
“After my intervention, Council officers are taking vigorous action to ensure that Severn Trent fulfils the conditions laid down for these works i.e. that they plate over the hole to allow access when work is not in progress.
NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT
“What is worrying however is this is not an isolated incident. There have been several similar episodes involving Severn Trent in our area over the last few years where they have failed to keep to the terms and conditions of their work and have left local residents struggling to gain access to their homes.
“We all pay our water rates and expect a Water Company to spend our money wisely and efficiently. If they are using contractors then they must adhere to the rules. Shareholders must be made aware that services are so badly carried out and water from Reservoirs appears not to be valued. I will be writing to the Chief Executive of Severn Trent.”