Southern Water: Supplies being 'gradually restored' to residents - LIVE
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Southern Water says it is working ‘around the clock’ to resolve the issue caused by a burst water main.
Follow live updates as they happen below.
Southern Water supply issues
Key Events
- Southern Water announced that customers would likely lose their water supply on Thursday (May 2) afternoon.
- Staff have been 'working around the clock' to resolve the issue.
- Customers are expected to still be without water for the duration of the weekend.
'Repair on the pipe is complete'
Southern Water has announced the repair on the pipe is complete, but disruption is still likely to continue for some time.
A spokesperson said: “Although the repair on the pipe is complete, restoring supplies will take time as we have to recharge our network and restart our supply works. This means disruption is likely to continue throughout the weekend.
“We will provide further updates about this throughout the day.”
Fourth water bottle station opens
A fourth bottled water station has opened at Hastings Academy, Rye Road, TN35 5DN.
Southern Water said: “We’re sorry customers have experienced issues and delays at our bottled water stations this morning.
“We’re working hard to rectify these and ensure that our operation can run smoother for our customers.”
'Identifying a fourth bottled water station'
Southern Water said it ‘understand[s] the concerns around bottled water stations’ and is looking to open a fourth station. It comes as chaos is caused by thousands of residents trying to access water from just three stations - with reports of frayed tempers and grid-locked traffic.
One angry resident said: “Why only three water station? This has caused so much anger and frustration as the the queues have been horrendous. We went out last and this morning and couldn’t get anywhere near the stations. We still haven’t got water yet. Spread them out and stop gridlocking this crumbling town.”
Headline music event cancelled
The event - which is one of the headliners for the Jack in the Green weekend - was to have taken place at the White Rock Theatre.
The theatre has been forced to close under health and safety regulations due to not having any water.
Here’s the latest update from Southern Water: “We’re sorry for the continued impact and disruption our customers are having in St Leonards, Hastings and rural areas around Westfield.
“Our bottled water stations at Tesco and Asda and Sea Road are open. Please be aware of traffic when travelling to these.
“Our teams worked through the night to remove the broken pipe and replace it with a new length of pipework. We are making good progress on the repair.
“When the repair work is completed, we will then recharge the network and restart our water supply works. However, this will take time and we expect disruption to continue over the weekend.
“If you are a vulnerable customer, or need access to water for medical reasons, and have not received a water delivery, please call 0330 303 0368.
“We are very sorry for this disruption and will keep customers informed via our website and social media channels, as well as text messages and emails direct to impacted households.”
Businesses affected
Several businesses have been forced to close their doors while the supply issues continue.
Those affected include The White Rock Theatre, Hastings Library, Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, Summerfields Leisure Centre and Falaise Fitness Centre.
Costa Coffee in Hastings town centre closed yesterday, in addition to Pizza Express and Twelve Hundred Postcards in Queens Road.
A Vinyl Record Market at The Piper pub in Norman Road, due to have taken place today at 11am, was cancelled.
Grid-lock traffic
There is still a huge amount of traffic in Hastings as residents queue up for water.
See the full scale of the chaos here: https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/hastings-water-supply-in-pictures-chaos-at-water-collection-points-4616496
Hastings town centre businesses have been affected by the ongoing water issue. East Sussex County Council has announced the library at Claremont has had to close, in addition to The White Rock Theatre.
Heavy traffic
Traffic is congested on the A259 as people queue to collect water bottles from the station on Sea Road.
AA Traffic News said: “Traffic heavier than normal due to burst water main on A259 Bexhill Road Westbound around The Retail Park. Reported there is a burst water main in a woodland area and people are having to travel to water bottle stations to get water.”
Location of burst main revealed
The burst took place yesterday in a small area of woodland known as Keepers Wood, which is situated on land between Beauport Golf and Country Club and Kent Street, at the A21 near Sedlescombe.
Read the full story here: https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/hastings-water-supply-latest-this-is-the-location-of-the-burst-main-that-has-caused-all-the-problems-4615374
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