ENGINEERS from Essex and Suffolk Water were called out to fix a burst water main after it caused flooding on troubled Wharf Road in Stanford-le-Hope.

Water collected yesterday under the rail bridge on a road, an area which has been subject to repeated flooding and is the subject of ongoing works by Thurrock Council to install permanent pumps.

A temporary pump is in place but it was unable to cope with the amount of water from the main.

A spokesperson from Essex & Suffolk Water said: "We were made aware of a burst to one of our small six inch water mains on Wharf Road, Stanford-le-Hope around midday.

"There ws no impact to customer water supply in the area.

"Our teams quickly attended the area and successfully carried out the repair. Work to reinstate the area will begin early next week. We apologise for any disruption caused.

In September, after initial works halted, the council said: ""Preparatory works have been taking place in readiness for the installation of a new pump in the pump house. This is the start of the final phase of works to alleviate flooding under the bridge. 

"Additional works will take place in a few weeks' time which will mean that the temporary lights will be back for a week then."

That was five weeks ago and yesterday the council said: "This flooding has been caused by a burst watermain. We are in touch with the water board and working with them as they rectify the fault.

"The temporary pump is still in operation and has been effective with dealing with rainfall since its installation. In this instance the flooding was caused by a burst water main and was nothing to do with the pump or pump house."

The council declined to give a date when the work would be completed.

The scene was visited yesterday by ward councillor Shane Hebb, who issued a statement on behalf of himself and his ward colleague Cllr Terry Piccolo.

He said: "After the recent issue, Terry and I raised this on behalf of residents, businesses, as well as those who walk down and around the area, and were informed that works were expected to be finished around the mid-November mark.

"We have asked for an update. We have been campaigning for a long-term fix for years, and are looking forward to this being completed once and for all."