HOUSEHOLDERS told they must stump up £3,000 for new water pipes leading to their homes say they simply won’t pay.

Council officials have said they won’t be billed right away for the new pipes or may even be able to pay in instalments.

But cash-strapped Langdon Hills residents say neither offer cuts any ice with them and they will refuse to pay up.

The Echo recently reported about 550 homeowners had been shocked to get letters saying would have to fork out new pipes linking their homes to the water mains beneath their streets.

The overall cost is likely to be at least £1.1million, which, split equally, works out at between £2,000 and £3,000 for each home. Those who rent homes in Longwick and other roads behind Laindon High Road such as Stebbins and Fern Hill won’t have to pay.

Homeowners say Basildon Council or Essex and Suffolk Water should be paying for the work. However the council says the householders’ property documents clearly state they are liable for the cost of new pipes.

Maureen Perkins, 72, of Mildmayes, has started a petition against the proposals and is considering founding a campaign group to take on the council.

She said: “I am just furious about this and I’m not the only one.

“I’m putting together a group so we can fight this properly.

“How dare they tell us we have to pay for work we don’t want and know nothing about?

“Around here, nothing gets done for us. We have gaping potholes, graffiti and all sorts, yet they expect us to pay for some pipes?”

Another resident, a 50-year-old woman from Longwick, who did not want to be named, said: “There’s no way on this earth I’m paying this bill. It’s totally unfair.”

Basildon Council has organised an open meeting to discuss the matter with residents.

It will be at the Triangle Royal British Legion Club, in the High Road, on April 16 between 7pm and 9pm.

A spokesman for Essex and Suffolk Water said the problem was nothing to do with the company.

He said: “We do not have any responsibility for the work on the estates concerned in Langdon Hills.

“The water network which supplies Langdon Hills has been privately owned since the estate was built in the Seventies and is the responsibility of Basildon Council, which manages the estate.

“All water pipe replacement work is taking place within the estate’s private boundaries.”