'Complex' repairs continue on burst water main

South East Water are continuing to repair a burst water main in Polegate

Work is continuing to repair a burst pipe which has left thousands of East Sussex residents without water supplies.

About 8,000 properties were reportedly left without water on Wednesday after a burst main in Lancing Way in Polegate.

South East Water says the majority of customers now have water, but that repairs were "complex" as they required a "deep excavation", and some could still experience low or no supply.

One Lancing Way resident said the burst pipe had been "gushing like a fountain" and had left her trapped in water encircled her home.

Paula Westcar, who has lived in Lancing Way for more than three years, said: "At its worst the hole was billowing out rocks into the water.

"I struggled to walk through the water because the current was so strong."

Paula Westcar said she was "in disbelief" after water from the burst main encircled her home

Ms Westcar said: "I was in disbelief – I cried a bit because no one could help me and I felt powerless."

Some schools and businesses were forced to close on Wednesday after the burst water main affected properties in the Polegate and Pevensey Bay area.

Willingdon Community School in Eastbourne said it would be shutting its doors on Thursday despite "having done everything possible to keep the school running".

All its secondary students were sent home and a planned class trip cancelled as a result of "the water supply being almost non-existent".

Posting on social media, a spokesperson apologised and said updates on the situation would follow.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has urged South East Water to "take urgent steps to support residents and resolve the issue as soon as possible".

Road closures

Matthew Dean, South East Water incident manager, said work was continuing on Thursday after an overnight operation.

He said: "We have moved water around our network to bring supplies back to the majority of our customers, however there may be some customers on higher grounds who are experiencing low pressure or no water during peak usage hours.

"While we continue to fix the burst pipe, a road closure will remain in place for the safety of the public and our workforce."

The company said it was looking to set up a new bottled water station after concerns about the location of the previous site at Eastbourne Angling Club.

Customers who are most in need can register to receive bottled water deliveries through South East Water's customer care team.