Clapton flood victims one-year wait for repairs

More than a year after a burst water main flooded houses in an east London street, some victims are still waiting for repair work to finish.

Up to 50 properties were affected when the pipe burst in Upper Clapton last June, Thames Water said.

Repair work continues in three homes, BBC London has been told. One resident, Juju Vail, criticised the time is has taken to get the claims processed.

Thames Water said it understood the "frustration" over the delay.

The water company did not dispute that at least three families were in such a position.

There were delays in processing some claims as some residents approached the water company directly while others claimed through insurers.

Ms Vail, who lives in Alconbury Road, said when the pipe burst water rushed into her basement and flooded her kitchen.

It took almost a year to resolve insurance claims and builders began working two weeks ago.

Ms Vail said: "This happened in June and initially we thought that we would be back, using our kitchen and living area and everything would be put as it was within about six months or so, which seemed a reasonable amount of time.

"That didn't happen. It's taken over a year before the workers even began.

"If they [Thames Water] are so mindful, why didn't they get the ball rolling with the insurance companies earlier.

"They have always accepted liability, I don't really understand why it had to take as long as it has."

In a statement Thames Water said: "Although the majority of claims arising from this incident have been settled, we are mindful of the time it has taken to conclude the claims for all our customers.

"Our loss adjustors continue to work with the families still out of their homes.

"We are really sorry for this and are acutely aware of how frustrating it must be for people.

"Our priority remains getting people's lives and homes back to normal as soon as possible."