USUALLY, announcements by bodies that provide essential public services that they are to carry out a long, complex project are met by a chorus of groans.

But Thames Water’s pledge to thoroughly assess Oxford’s water network is to be welcomed as a step towards, hopefully, ending foul-water flooding of homes and businesses and minimising the number of roadworks that clog up roads across the city.

It may be that the company has had a run of bad luck but it seems these problems are happening far too often, such as a water main bursting last month and flooding homes in Normandy Crescent, Cowley – the second such incident in seven years.

As city council leader Bob Price said: “Most of Oxford’s sewerage network is Victorian and there is a large backlog of improvement work required, so we thought that rather than tinker around with it, let’s look at the whole system.”

He points out that schemes like the redevelopment of the Westgate Centre will put more pressure on the system.

But identifying the problem is one thing. Putting it right is another and that is likely to cost some serious money.

Thames Water has faced criticism for paying hefty dividends to its shareholders while bills rise to pay for things like a super-sewer for London.

Residents will not be impressed if the company whacks up its bills yet again to pay to put Oxford’s sewers in good working order.

Being a monopoly does not mean Thames is free to pass on all costly risks to its customers.