Water leak LIVE: Thames Water cuts down trees to fix burst main as supply returns to south-west London

Thames Water is battling to fix a burst main which knocked out supplies to thousands of homes across south-west London.

As many as 18 postcodes - 14 of them in the capital - were left without water supply, affecting an estimated 15,000 properties at its height on Monday.

Thames Water has since isolated the burst main in West Molesey and rerouted water around its network to restore supply to homes and businesses.

In its latest update at 8.30pm on Monday evening, the utility company said on its website that repair teams were continuing to work on site to “isolate the broken pipe.”

The statement added that “three small trees” were removed in order to allow repair crews “to access the area safely.”

Follow the latest updates below...

Live updates

Recap: Major water leak leaves thousands without water

The major water leak yesterday left thousands without water.

Thames Water located the burst main and has been working to repair the pipe as soon as possible.

Images from West Molesey show the nearby fields and football pitches flooded from the incident as teams looked to isolate the leak and restore water supply.

A flooded Nielsen Recreation Ground in Molesey

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Aerial view of the flooded ground

PA

Trees cut down for engineers to access burst main

Thames Water has said three small trees were cut down from the site in West Molesey yesterday to allow repair teams to access the burst main.

As it stands, repairs are still ongoing and another update is expected at 9am.

Good morning

Thames Water is continuing to tackle a burst water main in West Molesey.

The major leak left as many as 15,000 properties without water across 18 postcodes - 14 of them in the capital.

The utility company has since restored supply, but is working on a permanent repair, with many homes still experiencing low pressure.

Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates.

Bottled water station opens

Thames Water have confirmed they have opened a bottled water station for customers who are still experiencing low water pressure or no water.

The station is located at Sandown Park Racecourse, on Portsmouth Road.

A spokesperson added: “We're doing everything we can to minimise disruption and will continue working until supplies have returned to normal.

“We appreciate the continued patience and support we have received.”

'Network holding well' says Thames Water

Thames Water have released a further update, saying that the “network is holding well” as customers see water running through their taps again.

A spokesperson said: “We are still on site assessing the damaged pipe and planning the next stages of the repair. Unfortunately, the repair requires a fabricated part and the location of the burst makes this process complex.

“Until the pipe has been fully repaired, you may notice your pressure is lower than normal, or supply is intermittently affected during busy periods.

“We appreciate that this disruption has been a huge inconvenience and would like to thank you for your patience whilst our teams are working to get things back to normal.”

They advised that the next update would come by 8pm.

Davey: 'Final whistle needs to be blown on Thames Water'

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the difficulties faced by households were “yet another example” of Thames Water failing its customers.

He said: “Thames Water is already the worst water company in England and Wales for leaky pipes – losing an average of 592 million litres every single day.

“Meanwhile, 28% of customers’ bills goes straight to servicing the company’s debt, not fixing the crumbling infrastructure that is now failing them.

“The final whistle needs to be blown on Thames Water, and (Prime Minister Andy) Burnham needs to get a grip.”

Around 5,500 properties still affected

It is understood that some 5,500 properties are still affected by the water outage.

MP Monica Harding for Esher & Walton said Thames Water was undertaking emergency repairs and would restore full supply to all households by the late afternoon.

In a Facebook post, Ms Harding added that hospitals were being supported by tankers and that Thames Water was in talks with care homes.

“I have made clear to Thames Water the unacceptable effect that this is continuing to have on thousands of local residents,” the post said.

Where is the bottled water station?

Thames Water will open a bottled water station later this afternoon in Molesey.

Though the burst water main has been isolated and customers are seeing their water supply restored, the utility company said it would still open a water station for those who require it.

Details of its exact location are yet to be confirmed.

Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates.

A water station will open later this afternoon

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Water restored in Thames Ditton

Residents in Thames Ditton have shared that water supply has been restored.

According to comments posted in a neighbourhood Facebook group, water is now flowing from taps - albeit at “very low pressure.”

Homes in Thames Ditton, Hinchley Wood, St Leonard’s, Weston Green and Brooklands all have access to water following today’s burst water main.

“Water appears to be back (Embercourt Road). Rejoice!”, wrote one resident.

Update: Repairs ongoing, but water supply back up and running

Thames Water has said repairs to the damaged pipe are ongoing, with teams assessing the next stages of repair.

The utility company said it would be working around the clock to fix things.

But there is good news for residents as water has been rerouted, restoring supply around the area.

All customers should now be seeing water flowing at their taps. Pressure may be lower than normal, or when supply is affected during busy periods, but this should be resolved soon.