In response to news that a burst pipe in Hampton has caused water shortages and disruption across areas of West and South West London, leading to school closures and hospital appointment cancellations, Labour’s London Assembly Environment Spokesperson, Leonie Cooper AM, said:
“Time and again Thames Water have been warned that the leaks from their network are unacceptably wasteful, and that they are letting customers down with inadequate communication and compensation in emergencies.
“Just last week, my report Running Out or Flooded Out?, found that there have been over 26,000 burst pipes in London in the last five years. This latest incident only confirms that my concerns and those of Londoners are justified.
“Thames Water need to work with Ofwat and DEFRA to accelerate their leakage reduction programme, to cut leaks by 50% by 2050, and urgently need to revamp their emergency response and communications strategies, not least for those affected by today’s burst pipe in South West London”.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Leonie Cooper AM’s report, Running Out or Flooded Out? London's Water Crisis, can be accessed here;
- Leonie Cooper AM is the London Assembly Member for Wandsworth and Merton.