A WATER provider in Shropshire has apologised to a street of Gobowen residents who have been plagued by sewage-filled running water after a company contracted to complete a repair collapsed.

The work to replace a storm drain in Fernhill Lane was supposed to have started two weeks ago, on October 4, to put an end to dirty water overrunning a street each time there was heavy rain.

But a spokesman for Severn Trent Water has said sorry to residents affected after NMCN, the company appointed to do the work, went into administration.

A spokesman has promised residents that the company will find a replacement contractor as soon as possible.

They said: "We’d like to say sorry to customers in Gobowen, who’ve been affected by a delay to planned work in Fernhill Lane.

"This delay has been caused by our contract partner, NMCN recently going into administration.

"We want to reassure everyone that we’re doing everything we can to get this essential work rescheduled as soon as possible.

"Again, we’re really sorry for any inconvenience this may cause – we know upgrading this part of our network is extremely important.”

The news of the delayed work is the latest blow to residents in lane ahead of winter.

Residents have said that the road has led to car tyres needing frequent cleaning as well as affecting parents and children walking to school.

David Evison, who lives in the road, said he and his fellow residents were not surprised at the news, but remain bitterly frustrated.

He said: "The Selattyn and Gobowen parish clerk has received an email from Severn Trent saying that the works are delayed for two weeks as they've encountered 'unexplained' problems.

"I had also received a text explaining a two-week delay.

"In reality when a main contractor goes into administration you just know that the two weeks could easily turn into two to three months with new road closures required over the winter period, which will mean further problems.

"All this does is expose further weaknesses in the communication and management systems within ST – the left hand clearly not knowing what the right hand is doing, it goes all the way to the top."