Water main burst "nightmare" in Huyton - 6th Jul 2009 7:25pm
Water main burst "nightmare" in Huyton
Residents fled as more than fifty homes were swamped with flood water when a huge main burst in Huyton, near Liverpool.
The drama began at around 8am when workmen appear to have burst the main at the corner of Huyton House Road.
Water gushed out and residents claimed the workmen flet as a tide up to three feet deep innundated homes and nearby shops. One predestrain was slightly injured
Properties a wide area accross East Liverpool were affected and had their supplied cut or suffered reduced pressure.
It is the second time in two years that Huyton House Road has been flooded from a burst water main. A similar incident damaged homes on 28th December 2007
Householder Lisa Reynolds explained that work had been carried-out by United Utilities on Friday and when it resumed at breakfast-time the major burst happened.
Lisa said: "The workmen knocked at one house and then jumped in their vans shouting 'Sorry! Close your doors' and then disappeared.
"The neighbours were shouting 'Turn it off, turn it off' but the workmen had gone and there was no-one to help us.
"There were wheelie bins floating down the street empting their contents including baby’s nappies. I can't believe the workmen just left us to fend for ourselves.
"There a huge amount of water. It was frightening. A child or an old person could have been killed.
"There was water gushing up and flooding down the road for about 25 minutes before it was switched off."
Lisa explained that following the 2007 flood, she received #506 from United Utilities but only in April of this was she awarded #1,200 from Knowsley Council to repair decorations.
Council tenant Lisa was close to tears as she added: "We had to endure terrible damp in house the last time this happened and it made daughter ill with chest problems.
"I've only just has the final pay-out for the last damage and now this happens. It's a nightmare."
Knowsley Council said it was working with partners agencies on the effects of the flood.
A knowsley spokesman said: "At approximately 8am this morning, a large diameter pipe was damaged by contractors.
"As a result approximately 50 homes in the immediate vicinity and a number of shops on Liverpool Road were affected by flooding.
"In addition to this, water supply to homes in the L7, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 36 areas was interrupted. Many of these homes saw water supply reconnected by lunchtime with the rest restored around 3pm."
The council’s officers have been on the scene since 8.15am and are today visiting all residents in the area affected to assess their immediate needs.
"They will ensure the most vulnerable people are offered support from health and social care or another relevant agency.
"Partner agencies, including the council, police, fire service, housing associations and United Utilities, will be providing a high visibility presence in the area throughout the day to provide support to the local community."
"A support centre has been set up at The Gate on Princess Drive, which will be open until 8pm tonight and from 8am tomorrow and Wednesday.
"Any residents who have been affected can call in for help and advice from Knowsley Council, United Utilities and the police. Alternatively, the centre can be contacted on 0151 489 6222."
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