WORK is continuing to repair a burst water main that flooded a Cowley street leaving residents’ homes devastated.

Thames Water engineers have been in Normandy Crescent after a pipe burst for the second time in seven years on Tuesday, severely flooding 23 properties.

Engineers need to replace about six metres of the pipe after digging down almost 15ft to reach the burst section of the main.

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Thames Water spokeswoman Becky Trotman said: “The welfare of the residents who can’t move back into their homes is still our main focus but at the same time we’re working to remove the damaged section of pipe and getting ready to replace it.We’re also looking at how we can reduce the risk of an incident like this happening again.

“Much of this will depend on the outcome of our investigation into what happened on Tuesday, which will be carried out in the coming weeks.

“We know how concerned residents are and owe it to the people affected by this dreadful incident to give them full and honest responses.”

It could be weeks before flood-stricken residents forced from their homes are told what caused the pipe to burst.

Oxfordshire county councillor John Sanders said he was concerned about Thames Water’s investigation into the flooding.

He added: “I think what we need is an independent assessment. I really start to worry and wonder about Thames Water inspecting its own problems.

“This is an issue that’s happened twice now and the bottom line is likely to be that Thames Water will reassure us all that they solved the problem and it really wasn’t their fault and it won’t happen again. If I had an independent inspector saying that I would be more inclined to believe them.”

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