Illustration by John Sadler www.johnsadlerillustration.com

• I WAS walking to work when I spotted a burst water main gushing out of the pavement in York Way and flooding the street.

Thinks me: I’ll just call Thames Water and let them know, that should be easy. Reality: Nope!

After holding on for several minutes waiting for someone to take my call, I then had a conversation that felt more as if they thought that they were doing me the favour by taking my call rather than the other way around:

“I’m just calling to report a burst water main flooding York Way close to King’s Cross.

“No, it’s not in my home it’s in the street.

“No, I don’t live there, I’m walking to work.

“No I haven’t checked your website.

“I’m walking to work so I called.

“No I don’t want to log it on your website – I’m on my way to work.

“I just want to give you the location and details so you can deal with it.”

You get the idea!

I did eventually manage to give the location so left them to follow up.

I have just checked their “award-winning” website from my desk to see if it was listed. Nope!

Come on Thames Water. Surely you can do better?

PETER McGINTY
Rossendale Way, NW1