Blame it on the weatherman

"Isolated showers and strong winds likely in the south-east tonight, with a chance of large gaping holes appearing in many roads by morning"

ddd

The last few weeks haven't been the greatest of triumphs for Thames Water in Maida Vale: local residents without water, four large holes in roads as a result of pipe bursts, a general refusal to sort out another burst in Dibdin House etc. So how have Thames explained this textbook example in public relations? Simple: it was the weather's fault.

Thames have decreed that the bursts were caused by a sudden cold spell three weeks ago. Funny that, as we thought that pipes were supposed to be able to cope with minor issues like, for example, temperature.

Far be it from us to be sceptical, but we think that's a pretty poor excuse. We also think it's pretty poor form that we had to ask to receive an explanation, rather than one being provided with one immediately.

Bottom line: not good enough. We've told this to Thames and they have agreed to come back with a better answer. We'll let you know.

Lee