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Scovell Estate repairs near completion after weeks without heating in Borough
Southwark Council expects the last 42 homes to be reconnected by the end of 14 October and will set out compensation once the work is complete.
Key facts
- A leak in underground heating pipes cut heating and hot water on the Scovell Estate in Borough, Southwark
- The outages began around 18 September
- Work on the last 42 homes was expected to finish by the end of 14 October, barring unforeseen issues
- Southwark Council will set out compensation once repairs are complete
Households on the Scovell Estate in Borough, Southwark, have spent almost a month without heating or hot water after a leak in the underground heating pipes. Residents who are elderly, pregnant or disabled are among those affected.
The problems began around 18 September. Residents have been washing with water heated in kettles. Some have used the showers at their workplace or gone to relatives and friends to get clean, and others have made the trip to a leisure centre in Elephant and Castle to use the public showers.
Scovell Estate hot water repairs due to finish
Southwark Council says most of the estate now has heating and hot water again. Cllr Reginald Popoola, the council’s lead member for council homes, said the remaining 42 homes were expected to be fixed by the end of Wednesday 14 October, unless unforeseen issues arose. He apologised to the residents affected and acknowledged the significant inconvenience. He said they would be told about compensation once the repairs are done.
Castle Leisure Centre showers offered to residents
The council has pointed residents to The Castle Leisure Centre, where they can shower and wash. Many said they were uncomfortable using public showers. Some elderly and disabled residents said they were physically unable to make the journey.
Tony Christofi said it would be “impossible” for him to wash there. He has a heart condition and rheumatoid arthritis, along with trapped nerves in his spine. He said he struggles to walk and quickly runs out of breath, and that he did not want to pay for a taxi every day just to have a shower.
Zara Rowley, a mother of three, was heavily pregnant when she spoke about the outage. She said she was frightened of bringing her newborn back to the flat. She was due to give birth in Southend-on-Sea, where her parents live, and has since had her baby.
Key questions
What caused the heating and hot water outage on the Scovell Estate?
A leak in the underground heating pipes. Residents have been affected since around 18 September.
When will hot water return to the Scovell Estate?
Southwark Council said the last 42 homes were expected to be fixed by the end of 14 October, unless unforeseen issues arose.
Where can Scovell Estate residents shower?
The council has told residents they can shower and wash at The Castle Leisure Centre, which is in the Elephant and Castle area.
Will Scovell Estate residents get compensation?
The council said residents will be told about compensation once the repairs are complete.
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