FRUSTRATION has continued for Winnall residents after a burst pipe was neglected by Winchester City Council and possessions were ruined in the flooding.
The council’s response has sparked anger among the tenants with contractors arriving near 11pm, leaving the pipe to spew gallons of water for more than 12 hours.
The pipe burst next to Craddock House in the early hours of Saturday, November 12. Since the incident, residents have found their shed spaces on the ground floor covered in water.
READ MORE: Pipe leak by Winnall flats causes anger at Winchester City Council
Alicia Stevens, 20 weeks pregnant and living with her three-year-old autistic son, said her mental health has “deteriorated” throughout the situation with “unnecessary stress”.
After battling with Southern Water and Winchester City Council in phone calls throughout Saturday, the young mum found her shed flooded with soaking stacks of boxes of new baby clothes and items.
Alicia, 24, said: “The council came to test or check on the sprinklers, which were set off by the flood, on Monday morning. I went to get my son’s bike out of the shed in the evening and realised there was about three inches of water in the entire communal shed area.”
At 20 weeks pregnant the former engineer was unable to lift all the boxes herself so called on her partner from Hedgend to help. Alicia has since taken everything out of its boxes to dry.
The council advised Alicia to claim any damaged items off house insurance and keep the humidifier on for two weeks.
Alicia said: “Who’s going to cover the electric bill for the dehumidifier because they’re not exactly cheap to run? Electric costs are absolutely extortionate.”
“We barely break even as it is. My son is disabled and the disability money that we get every month which is supposed to be for therapy sessions and things for him is now probably going to have to be used on electrics. He’s going to miss out on the essentials he needs for his own mental health.
“There’s nothing I can do regarding all my property that has been damaged. If there’s nothing that can be saved, I’m going to have to take it through my insurance company and take the hit on my premium.
“I’m majorly disappointed in the council. I want them to sort out the electric bill because I know that’s going to come through far more expensive.”
A spokesperson for Winchester City Council said: “We’re very sorry for the delay and confusion that happened over the weekend with the reporting of the water leak at Craddock House.
"We’re prioritising an urgent review of our out of hours process with our service provider, where there was a delay in alerting the relevant officers. This fell short of the usual service we pride ourselves in delivering for our residents and recognise the distress caused.
"Once officers were alerted they were able to attend on site straightaway, locate the stopcock and ensure the homes were safe. Staff will be in contact with affected residents, as we would expect to cover all reasonable costs associated, such as the use of a dehumidifier.”
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Claire Flynn, who lives on the seventh floor with her husband and two-year-old autistic daughter, found Christmas decorations, presents, electrical items and memories in ruins inside her shed.
Claire, 32, said: “I'm heartbroken it's just one thing after another with these flats. I have now got to try a replace what I can. Which will be very difficult knowing I don't have extra money to replace these things, and some cannot be replaced as they were sentimental.`
“A lot of people have had their properties ruined and the council should give compensation for the damage.”
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