Families start to claim on flooding
Compensation claims have started to be submitted by residents whose homes were flooded when a water main burst.
Compensation claims have started to be submitted by residents whose homes were flooded when a water main burst.
South Staffordshire Water Company is admitting responsibility for the burst main which sent thousands of litres of water from Barr Beacon Reservoir gushing down through streets, wrecking homes and cars in Streetly.
About 90 homes were submerged in 3ft of water on November 12 when the pipe in a field off Aldridge Road burst.
The water company today said compensation claims have been received. Bosses also said the 36in main pipe which burst has been sent to experts in Manchester for an investigation to find the cause of the problem.
The firm is anticipating up to £1 million in claims from householders.
Among those who have claimed is father-of-one Craig Lilly, a sales manager of Whitethorn Crescent, who suffered an electric shock.
His wife Rachel, aged 37, said: "It's been a very frustrating time us. We've found it a very slow process dealing with the insurance company and loss adjustor.
"The house is still being dried out with blowers, it's dirty, and we're no further forward than we were when it flooded three weeks ago.
"Other residents are saying the same thing.
"There is a lot of work to be done to repair the walls, the block paving, but we've been given no dates as yet for any of the work to start."
South Staffordshire Water's operations director Rachel Barber said: "The position is that we are now in due process with the insurers and loss adjustors.
"The majority of the claims are in the hands of insurance companies.
"We are still taking calls from residents affected. We are still visiting the estate each day and are available to deal with queries, although our publicity van has now been withdrawn."
The mains were repaired after the flooding in streets including Whitethorn Crescent and Yew Tree Road.
Miss Barber added: "We have sent the pipe to experts in Manchester to try and investigate what the cause of the burst might have been. We are seeking some independent advice."
