THAMES WATER MUST CONSULT AND COMMUNICATE

2.36.41pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 30th May 2008

Local MP Susan Kramer has joined residents and local councillors in St Leonard's Rd, Richmond, to protest lack of consultation and communication by Thames Water.

Kramer said: "Residents understand that Thames Water must replace our ancient system of water pipes. But consultation and communication are still not adequate.

Residents of St Leonard's Rd have lived patiently for weeks with limited or no access and almost no parking. But last minute news that an adjoining street, Graemesdyke Rd, was about to be dug up as well was just a last straw. My office has managed to get that delayed, for which I am grateful to Thames Water. But the problem is symptomatic of poor understanding of local circumstances.

Workman on site have been praised for their co-operation; it's the decision-makers that seem to be out of touch.

Hopefully a meeting will get some of the issues resolved for St Leonard's Rd, especially for residents with health and mobility difficulties. But road works like this are now all over the place and Thames Water needs a proper system instead of waiting until people are up in arms."