The aftermath of the Wednesbury flooding: What we know as families demand answers over burst water pipe

This weekend's flooding was the second time in six years Leabrook Road in Wednesbury and surrounding streets have been flooded due to a burst water main.

Thousands of homes were without water overnight with weak, discoloured water returning this morning. More than 700 homes had their electricity cut for hours due to the response to the flooding.

On Saturday night water and shelter was offered at Wednesbury Sons of Rest. Leabrook Road church, which was forced to close for years after previous flooding has sustained damage again.

Leabrook Road resident Matthew Fisher said: "It has been awful. And it is not the first time either, the water main burst in 2018. We had our power off and are still on bottled water.

"The water came up to our door, we have a shed out back which was flooded. I feel for the church, they took years to reopen after the last flood."

Tankers with water were at the site from 10.30pm on Saturday night for people to collect water which will be provided in water bags, the water needed be boiled before drinking or used in cooking.

Roads began slowly reopening this afternoon, with the Black Country Route which was effected reopening. 

South Staffordshire Water Repairs issued an update this afternoon, confirming a second water main had burst in Tipton.

The company said: "Repairs to the burst main in Leabrook Road, Wednesbury are ongoing. A separate main has burst in Dick Sheppard Avenue, Tipton and we are supporting customers there. When bursts occur, we use the rest of our network to support the impacted area, which can have knock-on effects. 

"Dick Sheppard Avenue. We are still working hard to fix this and whilst it is a priority, it is also important to clarify that this is a much smaller issue than the burst main in Leabrook Road and should be solved sooner too."

Wednesbury resident Alexia Patropoulos demanded answers from the water company on X, formerly Twitter, she said: "Can someone give us an update. Water comes and goes, but always low pressure.  Considering we were also affected yesterday, that is almost two days without water. I thought, this was easier to fix. So, why isn't it done, yet?"

West Midlands Fire Service issued an update, which said: "WMFS crews were on site at the flooding in the Leabrook Road area until the early hours of this morning. Fire Service personnel also aided in water distribution from the Gallagher Retail Park.

"The scene was handed over to South Staffs Water (SSW) at 2am with the water level significantly reduced. SSW worked throughout the night to repair the burst water main. It has now been confirmed that water has been restored to all customers.

"Customers may see discolouration, and should run taps until the water runs clear. Discoloured water should NOT be drunk or used in cooking."

Tipton and Wednesbury MP Antonia Bance thanked all the volunteers who have been helping residents and promised to hold South Staffordshire Water to account. 

She said: "I want to thank all the volunteers, councillors, my staff, and all the frontline workers who responded, including police, firefighters and engineers for stepping up and going beyond, where South Staffs Water let us down. 

"We are proud to be Sandwell, our community response was incredible.  We were told South Staff Water were delivering water directly to all vulnerable residents affected. We will be asking for more information."

She added: "I will make sure that questions are asked, and I will be meeting ministers tomorrow to make sure we hold South Staffs Water accountable for their response."