A mother residing in Leaves Green has urged people to be cautious about a water leak that has affected the area for approximately a year, creating hazardous circumstances.
Louisa, whose home is on Ashmore Lane in Keston, explained that the locality has suffered from repeated pipework issues for about two decades, though the current problem has seen water constantly running down the rural road for as long as twelve months.
Characterising the flow as resembling a river, Louisa noted that the leak has produced substantial potholes, meaning locals have incurred significant costs for vehicle maintenance and tyre changes.
The road conditions have been described as extremely poor, with potholes reaching depths of four to five inches. One resident reported spending roughly £600 on damaged tyres over time.
Louisa pointed out that the water escaping from the leak has long worried her due to safety implications, particularly during colder periods when freezing temperatures set in.
She reported that earlier leaks have resulted in black ice forming on adjacent Leaves Green Road, presenting perilous situations for drivers.
Louisa mentioned that her husband previously lost control while driving with their child in the car and believes authorities only started paying attention following an incident where a bus struck the icy surface.
What concerns her most is the formation of black ice and the danger it poses. She said the matter only received proper consideration after a bus collided with the icy patch.
Louisa stated that the state of Ashmore Lane has considerably affected both inhabitants and visitors who travel the route to reach the surrounding countryside.
She explained that the mix of running water and deep potholes has rendered the lane challenging to traverse on foot, deterring walkers and impacting residents’ capacity to appreciate the locality.
According to Louisa, locals can no longer easily reach nearby establishments on foot as they previously could.
Louisa observed that accessing the lane while walking should be possible but currently is not, despite it forming part of a popular walking route in Leaves Green.
She expressed that there is nothing better than walking as a family to the local pub, yet this is now impossible.
While Louisa noted that leaks and pipe bursts have troubled the area for approximately twenty years, she indicated that the current difficulties have continued for between eight months and a year, with water persistently flowing along the lane.
She reported that she has contacted Thames Water on multiple occasions during this period seeking resolution, yet progress has been limited and correspondence irregular.
Expressing her exasperation, she mentioned that obtaining any action typically requires roughly twelve months of persistent effort.
Louisa reported that she recently escalated the matter with Thames Water and received a visit from an employee who examined the location. However, she stated that despite repeated promises that the situation would be handled, a lasting remedy has not yet materialised.
She said locals remain aggrieved as water continues flowing down the lane without any firm indication of when the problem will ultimately be fixed.
Louisa additionally voiced worry that the persistent leak was squandering substantial quantities of water during the existing hosepipe restrictions affecting London and Kent.
She commented that despite the hosepipe ban, approximately twenty baths worth of water or more is being lost daily, with all of it going to waste while vegetation and gardens suffer.
Thames Water has been asked to provide a statement.