Leader's update - Friday 14 August 2026

Published: 14 August 2026

It’s been a difficult week for many residents across Redbridge.

Last Sunday, two water mains burst on Chigwell Road and Daisy Road, causing major disruption to water supplies across parts of Woodford, South Woodford, Clayhall, Hainault and neighbouring areas. The situation quickly became more complex: further bursts followed, repairs proved more challenging than first anticipated, and the number of households affected fluctuated significantly, reaching around 15,000 at its peak.

I know how frustrating this has been for residents, and I share those frustrations. Losing access to something as basic as running water affects every part of daily life — from cooking and cleaning to caring for family members. Many people have faced days of uncertainty, which is simply unacceptable.

I recognise that Thames Water has been dealing with an unusual situation, with four bursts in a relatively small area during a period of extreme heat and drought. That said, while the circumstances have been challenging, their response has fallen short of what residents and the council expect. Where they’ve fallen short, the council has stepped in.

From the moment the scale of the disruption became clear, council teams worked around the clock to support affected residents. We expanded access to bottled water, carried out welfare checks for vulnerable residents, provided direct support to households most in need, and opened shower facilities across the borough. You can read more about the support we’ve been providing in the article below.

One thing I must highlight is the response of residents. We’ve seen neighbours checking in on each other, looking out for vulnerable people and offering help wherever it’s been needed.

In a week that has undoubtedly been difficult and frustrating, I’ve been incredibly proud to see the kindness, patience and community spirit shown across Redbridge. Thank you to everyone who has played their part in helping one another through what has been a very challenging few days.

There will be time in the weeks ahead to hold Thames Water to account and ensure lessons are learned from what residents have experienced. For now, our focus remains firmly on supporting residents, maintaining our response on the ground and helping bring this situation to an end as quickly as possible.

The good news is that water supplies have now returned for most affected households. However, we will not be stepping back. We are continuing to support households that remain affected and pressing Thames Water to restore full service to all remaining homes. That support will continue throughout the weekend.

A number of residents have understandably asked about compensation. Thames Water has assured the council that, where compensation is due under its Customer Guarantee Scheme, payments will be credited automatically to customers’ accounts within a month. If you believe you are entitled to compensation and do not receive it, or wish to challenge a decision, information is available on the Thames Water website. We will continue to monitor this closely in the weeks and months ahead.

Finally, today marks Pakistan Independence Day and tomorrow is India Independence Day. I would like to wish everyone celebrating a happy, safe and enjoyable time with family and friends.

We will be working closely with the police throughout the celebrations to ensure the area remains safe and welcoming for everyone. This includes taking action against illegal street trading to protect public safety and support the legitimate businesses on Ilford Lane that serve our community year‑round. Please also remember that fireworks must not be brought to or let off on Ilford Lane. These restrictions are in place for safety reasons, particularly during the current hot and dry conditions when fireworks could increase the risk of fires.

For further updates on the water situation throughout the weekend, please continue to follow Redbridge Council’s communications channels and the Thames Water website.

Have a good weekend, stay safe, and thank you once again for your patience, understanding and community spirit throughout this challenging week.

Kam