WINSFORDIANS are fuming after United Utilities wasted huge amounts of water by taking more than five weeks to repair a pipe.

The pipe in Dene Drive, has been gushing water for almost two months after a 'breakdown in communication' at the water company.

Albert Lightfoot, of Churchill Parkway, said: "It has been like that for about five weeks with water flooding the road.

"It's an absolute disgrace because sooner or later they are going to be telling us there's a hosepipe ban.

"How can they justify taking this long to repair a leak when in other parts of a country we are told water levels are at an all time low?

"I shudder to think about how much water, which we all pay for, has been wasted."

Albert contacted United Utilities to report the leak but claims nothing is being done.

He said: "I reported it a week ago and still the repair work has not been carried out.

"There is just a hole in the ground at the moment which looks an absolute mess.

"Why should we have to put up with this kind of service because to take five weeks to repair a pipe is just unacceptable.

"There is regularly a huge puddle on the road and the water being wasted must be costing us enormous amounts of money.

"If we are told in a few months that there is a water shortage then we will know why."

Tony Williams, of Marlborough Avenue, said: "With threats of increased water bills and pressure on us as consumers to conserve our natural resources how can United Utilities ignore what is to my mind an incredible waste?

"It beggars belief that there has been what must amount to hundreds of gallons of water being lost from a leak."

A spokeswoman for United Utilities said yesterday, Tuesday: "It is true that it has taken so long to repair.

"We apologise for the delay repairing this leak.

"Before the call from the Winsford Guardian this had already been scheduled for repair today."