To think the water company are useless

[crazykat]

There was a leak in the water pipe just outside my garden on Wednesday. I reported it and was told it was down as an emergency and would be sorted within 24 hours.

I got back from the school run that morning and they were digging up the pavement right by my drive with our car parked in it. They asked if I needed the car and I told them not that day but I would tonight. Fine they said it would be sorted by then.

Fast forward to today and no work has been done yesterday or today and part of the hole is across my drive and I can't get the car out.

I've contacted the water company twice and been promised a call back within half an hour - this at 3pm - but nothing.

AIBU to think this is unacceptable? I can manage without the car tonight but we need it tomorrow as we have plans with the DCs and need to pick up DSD which would cost a fortune that we don't have in taxis and take a ridiculous amount of time by bus and/or train.

Take photos check for signs telling you if it's a contractor or the actual water company
Ring the water company out of hours service and tell them you need to get your car out tomorrow or you will be sending them the bill for taxis/trains and charging them for the inconvenience

YANBU

Severn Trent Water have sent me a water bill statement and I have overpaid by £209.00.

Don't know what to do about that one!

Have they called you back yet?

Pursue! It'll be a contractor working on their behalf. Complain to the Water Co and the contractor will get it in the neck.

Get the name of the Director of Customer Services (or equivalent title) from their website, so you know who to e-mail/ring directly in the morning if it's not sorted.

Compensation is due! It is not on!!!!

Still no call back.

I think what's winding me up most is that when they were digging the hole I told them I needed the car out today and they promised it would be fine, they'd get it finished or at least Mede safe to get the car out.

It's not even over by that much, 4-5 inches at most but it's enough that I don't want to risk it.

I'm going to try the water company again and see if I can get a number for the contractor.

It would cost a small fortune in taxis as there's 7 of us. If I was guaranteed to get the money back I'd just do that but I can't afford to lose that much especially at this time of year.

Bastards!

Can you get a board across the hole so that you can quickly drive over it?

I think that's what we're going to have to try in the morning. That's all it needs really, one if the big square things they use to cover gaps. Just hope we can fine one big enough and don't get the car stuck over the top.

If not I've found the contractors website and number so I'm going to try them in the morning. I've been trying to find a landline number for the water company as my home phone isn't working and premium rate numbers are expensive from mobiles.

Ring the contractors direct they should have an emergency number don't wait until morning

Did this get sorted to your satisfaction OP?