 |
Shirley High Street Sewer Works Photo: Southampton Independents (AP) |
Since the final weekend of March, privatised water company Southern Water has caused disruption in the Shirley area, due to a "collapsed sewer".
- Have you been affected? Tell us how and where.
- Are you losing money?
- Is it causing you delays?
- Is your home, or your work or business affected?
Get in touch on our Facebook page, or at our contact details here.
 |
| Shirley High Street Closed Off One Way Photo: Southampton Independents (AP) |
The Southern Water statement says:
"We're sorry to residents in the area who may be experiencing disruption.
Our teams are undertaking a repair of our sewer line, due to a collapsed sewer...
... This closure will remain in place for several weeks."
Member of the Independent Network and Co-Founder of Southampton Independents, Andrew Pope says:
 |
| Andrew Pope on Rownhams Road with the rubber ducks and "Guess the Pothole" Photo: Southampton Independents (AB) |
"I reported the foul stench of drains to Southern Water at the end of March. They then confirmed that it was due to a collapsed sewer. I saw the display on Romsey Road about the emergency works when completing the 341,000 steps for March the Month to raise £341 for Prostate Cancer UK.
We've just had the privatised gas pipeline disruption as well!
The Tories privatised everything and Labour hasn't sorted it out. It's constant chaos for Southampton, its residents and businesses and the Council isn't on top of it at all.
They whinge that they aren't in control and don't have the powers. Who sets the regulations and the law? Labour or Tory MPs! So again it's the same old story. The two old parties are past it and just blame each other, instead of taking responsibility.
In fact, the Labour-run Council is adding to the disruption, because of the failed Balfour Beatty contract that Labour has just bunged £60 MILLION to, instead of cancelling it. That's the serious point of the "Guess the Pothole" game which I created and which got big interest on reddit, on Facebook, on our website, and in the Echo.
I have made enquiries about how this collapsed sewer happened. I hope it wasn't caused by one of the privatised companies, as we've had so much road and pavement being dug up lately - gas, water, broadband and more...
I remember when I got compensation for hundreds of residents of Millbrook from Southern Electric when they dug up the roads and caused power outages at Xmas. I found out the truth and went on BBC Radio 5 to tell the country. Residents remember too, that's why they are backing me in the Redbridge ward election on 7th May."
