WORKS are to remain in place until Thursday after a burst water main in Benfleet left dozens of properties without water.

On Sunday evening, a water main burst on Shipwrights Drive, in Benfleet.

Emergency repairs were carried out overnight which left 35 properties in the area with low pressure and / or no water.

A two-way traffic light system was put in place as works were carried out.

Supplies have since been restored; however, the traffic light system will remain in place until the “road reinstatement” has been complete.

Essex and Suffolk Water said they expect the road to be fully re-opened on Thursday.

A spokesperson for Essex and Suffolk Water said: “Last night we were made aware of a burst water main on Shipwrights Drive, in Benfleet.

“Our teams attended quickly and located the burst – and repairs were carried out through the night into the early hours of this morning. During this time, around 35 properties in the area may have experienced some low pressure or no water however supplies have now been restored to normal. 

“The road is currently under a two-way traffic light system until the road reinstatement has been completed, and we expect the road to be fully re-opened on Thursday.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank our customers for their patience at this time.”

The burst water main is near to the main entrance of a Benfleet secondary school, King John School.

Bosses at King John School contacted parents last night advising them to use the Benfleet Road entrance to the school instead of Shipwrights Drive due to the water leak.

In an email, deputy headteacher, Claire Johnson, wrote: “We have been alerted this evening to a water leak in Shipwrights Drive, and have been advised that this may not be rectified until after 9am. 

“Please could I ask for your cooperation with the following: 

“Where possible, if you are dropping your child into school, could you do this via the Benfleet Rd entrance instead please. 

“If you do have to use the Shipwrights entrance, please allow more time for this to ensure students are not late for school. 

“If your child walks into school via Shipwrights, can you please remind them we will appreciate their maturity with this matter and ask that they give the water leak a wide berth and avoid this area, to ensure they are not in wet clothes / shoes for the remainder of the day.”

Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point, has also been on the case to try and help rectify the burst water main issue as soon as possible – however, she warned residents it could “take a few days” to fix the road.