Huyton homes hit by burst water main – again

Feb 22 2008 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

Homes in Huyton have been flooded for the second time in a month

AT LEAST 1,000 households were without water and up to 60 homes left flooded after a massive water mains burst in Huyton.

Residents living around Liverpool Road, at its junction with Bakers Green Road, rushed to save what belongings they could after torrents of water gushed into their street shortly before 4pm yesterday.

As traffic in the area ground to a halt, a number of people had to be rescued from their homes byliferafts manned by fire crews, or were prevented from entering their street after police cordons were set up.

Others had to stay the night elsewhere or be put up at a nearby sports centre.

Road closures were also put in place on Liverpool Road between the junctions of Primrose Drive/Bluebell Lane and Hillside Road.

The incident is near the scene of another major flooding caused by a break in the same pipe on Liverpool Road on December 29.

Among those affected yesterday was Lynn O’Brien, 57. She blamed United Utilities and said it was the third time her Alt Road home had flooded.

“The last time it happened it was days before anybody came to see us,” she added.

“The worst bit is not knowing what to do.”

Paul McGrail, of Bakers Green Road, said: “In a matter of minutes the back garden was full and we had it all coming in the house.

“I started moving everything upstairs and praying it didn’t get into the kitchen I’ve only just installed – it's worth £5,000.

“Most of the house is floorboards and the water board said that's all going to have to come up to dry it out.”

Diane Tomkinson, 42, who is registered disabled, was alerted by her son, Steven, 13.

“There was a torrent of water coming down from Liverpool Road. We put whatever we could in front of the door to try and prevent the water getting in, but it was useless.

“We’re devastated, and no-one has come round to say what can we do to help.

Another unnamed resident, a former submarine officer living on the junction of Mossbrow Road and Bakers Green Road, said: “I have no idea why they didn't put in some water pressure gauges to see what was going on and where the weak spots were.

“I’ve worked under water for 20 years but I didn’t expect it to invade my home.

“After it happened up the road, don’t tell me this is just a coincidence.”

United Utilities engineers isolated the main to stop the flooding and then re-routed water supplies via other water mains. They said expected supplies to be restored by today.

About 15 firefighters worked for four hours to pump the water away, although much had seeped into the drainage system.

Residents in the affected area are now facing a massive clean-up operation. Loss adjusters have been dispatched to liaise directly with households affected.

Steve Pratt of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said the flooding had not been as serious as last December.

He added: “Because the estate is more open-plan, the water could spread out on a larger surface area, and to a lower level.”

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alanweston