Flood of outrage as burst water main causes chaos on roads

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Hammersmith's King Street closed due to severe flooding

Hammersmith's King Street was closed on Wednesday due to a burst water main.  Thousands of gallons of precious drinking water gushed into shops and submerged cars as a massive 12 foot crater dramatically ripped open one of the area's busiest shopping streets.

"This is another kick in the teeth to Hammersmith & Fulham residents who have had to put up with the hosepipe ban and endless road works as Thames Water struggle, in vain, to stem their massively leaking pipes," says Cllr Nick Botterill, Deputy Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council. "Now we have residents with no water at all, and, with a 100m police cordon in place, local people have had to be evacuated to the town hall for safety.

"Thames Water already have much to answer for. Bills have risen by a massive 21% since last year and, at the same time the service people get for this is shockingly inadequate. They have simply got their priorities wrong."

The council open the doors of the town hall to more than 100 shocked and outraged residents returning to find their homes unreachable.

Council emergency officers laid on food and bottled water and are preparing to make residents comfortable over night.

"The least residents and businesses should expect from Thames Water is full compensation, not just for the damage to their properties and cars, but for the huge disruption caused by their incompetence," adds Councillor Botterill.

Police are advising motorists to avoid Hammersmith due to the burst water main causing damage to the road surface. A police spokesperson said "Congestion is likely to be heavy in the area and motorists are advised to seek alternative routes."

Offices, a hotel and some residential addresses are still affected with a total of 260 premises being evacuated (180 residential addresses and 80 business).

King St, at the junction with Hammersmith Broadway, remains closed. Residents and delivery vehicles only will be allowed access to these roads, which will remain closed for up to seven days. The local authority and Hammersmith Police will be delivering leaflets to premises affected this afternoon outlining alternative traffic arrangements.

July 27, 2006