A WINCHESTER resident has said locals are ‘tired and frustrated’ by frequent issues with the water mains in their road.
Bereweeke Road was closed last week while Southern Water repaired a leak, with water pouring down into Andover Road.
Residents were hit with a major pipe burst just over a year ago in the same location as well as in 2018 when thousands of gallons of water flooded the residential area in Weeke.
Following the latest incident, one resident posted on the Facebook group: “The annual burst water main at Bereweeke Road/Andover Road again.”
READ MORE: Bereweeke Road closed in Winchester for urgent Southern Water works
Marcus Edwards has lived with his family in Bereweeke Close, off Bereweeke Road, since 1986 and believes full re-construction of the road and water infrastructure is needed to prevent future problems.
Mr Edwards said: “I have spoken to a few neighbours in the Close in the last few days. We are all tired and frustrated at the frequent, on-going issues with the water mains in Bereweeke Road.
“There is also concern and discontent at the general condition of the road surface, with its decay and many potholes - particularly around drains.
“Bereweeke Road is a crucial thoroughfare. As well as the residents needing regular access to the road in order to go about their business to and from their homes, many local schools and colleges - supporting thousands of students - rely on it daily.
“I understand from one of the neighbours talking to the Southern Water personnel engaged in fixing the latest failure, the pipes underneath Bereweeke Road are a mix of older iron construction, and more recent plastic. It is the older iron ones that are failing.
SEE ALSO: Winchester residents left with low or no water after burst pipe in Bereweeke Road
“Instead of dealing with ongoing breakages of components on a fairly regular basis, and fixing these one at a time as they occur, surely it is more desirable and economical to have a wholesale re-construction of the complete road and its water infrastructure?”
In response to beliefs that the leaks are a chronic problem, a spokesperson for Southern Water said: “The other issues at this location were in relation to manhole covers and wastewater.
“Last year in July there is a report of a leak, but this isn’t anything that is unusual.”
Bereweeke Road has since been re-opened and Southern Water has said tackling leaks and bursts is a major priority for the utility company.
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