Polegate and Willingdon Residents Hit Hard by Burst Water Main – Thousands Without Water
School Forced to Shut Amid Water Crisis
A major water main burst has left thousands in Polegate and Willingdon struggling with little or no water. South East Water crews battled through the night to fix the damage and restore supplies.
This morning at 9:14am, Willingdon Community School had no choice but to close due to the lack of fresh water. Meanwhile, residents waited anxiously for bottled water deliveries that had arrived but were yet to be distributed.
Bottled Water Distribution Delayed as Teams Seek New Location
By 9:44am, a pallet of bottled water reached Polegate War Memorial Recreation Ground. However, South East Water sought a better site to set up a proper water station for locals.
At 10:08am, more courtesy water was offloaded. Authorities promised water supplies would return to most homes later that morning.
Road Closures and Environmental Precautions
Parts of Wannock Road in Polegate were shut by 11:08am to allow engineers to hunt down the damaged pipe. Water was being diverted to homes still without supply.
At 11:13am, water was pumped into the Wannock Mill Stream as part of the repair. The Environment Agency South East was informed and monitoring pollution risks closely.
Repairs Continue, Road Closure Persists
By 2:44pm, road closures remained in place while crews worked nonstop to fix the burst main and restore normal service.
Shoutout to Nathan Dunbar for top-notch social media coverage throughout this unfolding water drama.
