Thousands of families remain without water as residents count cost of burst Bloxwich water main

More than 9,000 in Walsall and Staffordshire lost their water supply today and more than half are still experiencing problems this evening. 

The Stafford Road, Bloxwich, burst South Staffordshire Water main came just two weeks after a similar problem nearby less than two weeks ago and after a weekend of flooding in Wednesbury due to another failure of the company's infrastructure. 

At 3.30am a water main on Stafford Road, near King Charles V Playing Fields burst causing flooding around the area.

Residents in Bloxwich, Norton Canes, Great Wyrley and Cannock were without a water supply throughout the day as engineers tried to fix the problem into the evening. 

Speaking from the Stafford Road this afternoon, the company's Director of Environment and Quality, Natalie Akroyd said: "Around 3.30am our 24 inch water main burst, that left 9,000 homes without water supply. We have made some changes to our network and the way water flows through it, we have managed to get about water supply to 4,000 people and we are working on opportunities to get more customers back on supply.

"A repair of this size is really complex and we have to be really careful of the other pipes and cables underground."

She added: "We have delivered bottled water to our most medically vulnerable customers and set up an alternative water supply at McArthur Glen in Cannock which is open to anyone affected.""Thank you for your patients at this time and we apologise for any inconvenience at this time."

Walsall Council cancelled its Bonfire Night fireworks show which was being held at the playing fields tonight due to the flooding and Landywood Primary School was forced to close for the day. Stafford Road resident Adam Wedgbury's drive, garden and garage was flooded. 

He told the Express & Star: "The doorbell rang at 4.30am and when we looked there was a fireman outside. When we opened the door there was water everywhere and it seemed to be rising. Our garage was flooded which has wrecked our washing machine, tumble drier and other equipment."

Adam, 36, coaches the under 14 Wyrley Panthers girls football team at Wyrley Juniors Football Club and revealed kits and equipment have been ruined. The father of two said: "All our boots, kits and equipment have been destroyed because of the flooding in the garage. 

"We have had people from South Staffs Water around the house taking videos and we expect them to compensate us for the loss, especially the kits and booths which we need replacing as quickly as possible.

"Luckily, our kitchen door is above a step because it would have been a lot worse if it was not there."

He added: "There was a burst water main last Sunday further up the Stafford Road, so this seems to be happening a lot now, especially what has happened in Wednesbury this weekend. However, our South Staffordshire Water bill has gone up again this year."

An Express & Star reader from Sandwell, who did not want to be named, said: "Our water bill has rocketed this year from South Staffordshire Water, they and their shareholders have made millions from us customers over the last few years but they have not bothered to fix their water mains. 

"The exact same water main six years ago in Wednesbury and wrecked the church, they should spend its cash on the infrastructure."

Tipton and Wednesbury MP Anthonia Bance met with Environment Minister Emma Hardy MP today about South Staffordshire Water.

She said: "It is like Groundhog Day for Wednesbury residents, the exact same main burst six years ago but it obviously has still not been fixed. I am demanding answers about how this can happen."

Headmaster of Landywood Primary School Andrew Clewer told parents they had no choice but to close the school. 

He said: "Currently school has no running water at all. The biggest concern is toilets - as after an hour of being open and them being unable to flush, staffs and children’s health and hygiene would be below acceptable standards.

"I have been unable to get a timeframe from South Staffs which makes the decision even harder. Given this has all happened at 5am this morning and after 2 and a half hours we still have no water, I am concerned. Without running water we can’t prepare cooked meals in the kitchen."

He added: "I am afraid we have no choice other than to close this morning. I am so sorry. The health and safety of everyone must be our number one priority and no working toilets or sinks causes major problems as I am sure you appreciate."

Walsall Council cancelled its Bonfire Night Fireworks event at King Charles V Playing Fields. A spokesman said: "Unfortunately, due to a burst water main on Stafford Road in Bloxwich, tomorrow night’s fireworks event at King George V Playing Fields has had to be cancelled.

"Full refunds will be issued to all those who purchased tickets. Ticket purchasers will receive a notification of the refund process in a separate email in the next two working days. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."