Residents fury as leak on road continues for six months

Those living on Crabwood Drive in West End said they have been watching water pour opposite their homes since August 2024.

Ian Dunbar has lived there since 1955 and said he has serious safety concerns – particularly if the 'leak' does not get fixed until after the cold weather returns.

Ian said: “We have a constant steam of water going all the way down the road.

“Not only is it extremely slippery but when the cold weather comes the water freezes over someone could have a serous accident.

“There are a lot of children here with bikes – if that water freezes I think it is an accident waiting to happen.

Ian and his neighbours have erected a sign at the location of the leak and titled it ‘Crabwood Springs’.

Water has gushed from the ground opposite homes on Crabwood Drive for around six months (Image: NQ) He continued: “Southern Water claim the water is just rainwater – but our road is completely flooded.”

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Hazel Allen has lived on the road for 38-years.

She said: “Years ago the area where the leak is coming from was dug up and we were told by the water company at the time that there was a watermain under the ground.

“But when Southern Water have come out – which has happened at least three times – they say that water gushing from the ground is just rainwater.

The water stretches from the top of the road to the bottom (Image: NQ) “I just can’t see how rainwater would pour out of the ground like this. We have had it pouring out the ground in the middle of summer when we have had no rain for weeks.

“Somebody needs to take responsibility for it or somebody is going to get hurt.”

A spokesperson for Southern Water said that a team had been sent out again to investigate the leak for a fourth time.

The spokesperson added: “Our teams have now visited Crabwood Drive and confirmed the water is not coming from a leak but from rising ground water unrelated to Southern Water infrastructure.”