Mystery leak a worry for shops

Running water has been trickling past shops in Oswestry town centre for 10 days, traders claimed today. The problem has water workers baffled.

Oswestry butcher Eric Roberts said the water, caused by a mystery leak, has been running past his Leg Street shop since June 6.

But despite three trips to the town, water company Severn Trent has been unable to find a fault.

Mr Roberts said he was concerned the water had been running down the road for more than 10 days as many of the shops near him have cellars.

He said: "I feel exacerbated when there is no real answer. It is a concern for us because it is in the road outside the shop. It is coming through the Tarmac that's why I'm so concerned and I'm concerned for the properties with cellars."

Mr Roberts added: "I asked if they (Severn Trent) had checked the drain in the gutter outside but they said it was nothing to do with them and I should contact Shropshire Highways."

A spokesman for Severn Tent said: "Severn Trent Water is aware of the leak in Leg Street, which was first reported into us on June 11.

"On June 12 our leak detection team visited the site to carry out initial investigations and we have since been out on two further occasions to carry out CCTV investigations.

"This CCTV footage appears to show no problems either on the mains water pipes or the sewerage pipes. We will continue to investigate this ongoing issue and a team is scheduled to visit the site again in the early part of this week."

The council said initial inquiries showed the leak was not related to the highway so it was not responsible.