Residents of the village of Bramley in Surrey have been facing issues with polluted water for many years. The contamination, caused by a fuel leak from a local petrol station, has led to terrible smells and a polluted river. The situation worsened when locals were advised not to drink the water due to the leak from May to July. Local MP Jeremy Hunt confirmed that it would take years, not months, to completely rid the village of petrol contamination, although water samples continued to meet UK standards.
The fuel leak originates from a fuel tank at a petrol station owned by Asda, but contamination issues were present even before the company took over the site. The leak has caused significant disruptions for residents and businesses in the area. Chris Hardstone, a landlord at a local pub, had to close the pub’s hotel due to the strong smell of contamination affecting the business. Asda has agreed to pay over £500,000 in community vouchers to villagers impacted by the situation, but the lack of internet access in some homes has added to the challenges faced by residents.
In addition to dealing with the contamination and lack of internet access, residents have also been struggling with the impact on their daily lives. Some homes have been left without internet since May, and Openreach, the company responsible for fixing the issue, has described it as one of the most complicated operations they have been a part of. The presence of fuel in the area makes it difficult for them to repair the underground cables. As a temporary solution, 25 homes and businesses without internet access have been provided with mobile dongles to stay connected.
Thames Water is conducting investigations to identify the cause of the leak on Station Road in Bramley and has committed to carrying out the necessary repairs. Asda’s senior director of corporate affairs and communications, James Barge, explained that the company faced challenges in providing community vouchers due to their corporate structures and procedures. The vouchers were provided as a form of compensation to impacted residents. The company needed approval from various levels within the organization before issuing the vouchers.
The situation in Bramley has put a strain on residents and businesses in the area, impacting their daily lives and livelihoods. In addition to the pollution and water contamination, the lack of internet access has added to the challenges faced by the community. The complexity of the operation to fix the underground cables, combined with the ongoing presence of fuel in the area, has made it difficult for authorities to resolve the issue quickly. Residents continue to navigate the consequences of the fuel leak and the disruptions it has caused in their village.
