Hospital worker's concerns over water supply loss amid repairs in Bloxwich
A hospital worker has criticised plans to go ahead with water pipe repairs which will result in customers losing supplies during the coronavirus outbreak.
South Staffs Water is poised to carry out ‘essential’ work in the Elmore Green Road area of Bloxwich from next week with bosses saying that delaying the work might increase the risk of burst mains.
But resident Alice Lloyd-Lavender, who works at New Cross Hospital, said she was worried there would be no hot water to wash her uniforms while the work is being carried out.
The 24-year-old said: “Surely this is not vital emergency work that cannot be put back a few weeks.
“I feel it’s wrong time to do non-essential work, they’re saying it’s essential but it’s replacing old pipe work. That’s not essential work, it’s not an emergency leakage. In my row of six properties there are two NHS staff, there is a school across the road which needs to stay open over Easter to support key workers and vulnerable children. There is a funeral directors directly opposite and a care home also.
“We are being told to constantly wash our hands and I am being told to shower straight after work. They say they will supply us alternative water, but I don’t see how they’re going to arrange hot water for me to have a shower.” The project is part of our ongoing improvement programme and will see just over a mile of water main replaced from the junction of Clarendon Street and the Bloxwich Police Station, in Station Road.
South Staffs Water’s wholesale director Pete Aspley said: “The coronavirus crisis has made it a difficult time for us all. It’s important that where possible we continue essential maintenance work across our water network.
“Delaying could increase the risk of more serious issues such as burst pipes, which would result in interruptions to our customers’ supplies.
“When we carry out any maintenance work we always keep our customers informed about the works and any disruption that it may cause, including traffic issues or temporary loss of water supply. Any interruption to water supply will not last more than 30 minutes.
“ After reviewing our existing customer letters we realise that this may not have been clear enough and would like to apologise for any misunderstanding or worry caused.
“We will ensure that all customer communications are improved prior to further work commencing.
“We will continue to work with our customers to provide them with as much information and support them wherever possible.
“The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and customers is our number one priority. We would like to thank our customers for bringing this to our attention and apologise once again.”
