A WATER leak flooding a local road was left unrepaired for more than three weeks because the company responsible claimed they had to notify the highways authority before carrying out work. But Herts Highways denied that was the case saying Three Valleys W

A WATER leak flooding a local road was left unrepaired for more than three weeks because the company responsible claimed they had to notify the highways authority before carrying out work.

But Herts Highways denied that was the case saying Three Valleys Water (TVW) could carry out emergency repairs without giving them notice.

The leak at the junction of Mount Pleasant Lane and Bucknalls Drive in Bricket Wood was first reported on March 15 but TVW did not carry out repairs until Tuesday this week.

John Drinkwater, the highways c-oordinator for the Bricket Wood Residents Association, was inundated with calls from local people complaining about the water swamping the junction.

He said TVW told him they needed to get permission from Herts Highways to install temporary traffic lights while work was carried out, which caused the delay in repairing the fault.

But John said the work was completed in around two hours with the road remaining open under signage and with no traffic lights.

A spokesperson for TVW said: "In this case the leak was on a traffic-sensitive road and we are required to give notice to the Highways Department to carry out the work."

But a spokesperson for Herts Highways said: "They have power under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 to carry out emergency works and close roads if necessary.