Allotment holders left high and dry as water supply is cut off (From Halesowen News)

Allotment holders left high and dry as water supply is cut off

2:20pm Thursday 9th July 2009

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ELDERLY allotment holders in Halesowen are being forced to cart gallons of water from home in a desperate bid to keep their vegetables and flowers alive after their supply was cut off when it was discovered the nearby scout group had been footing the bill.

During the recent hot, dry spells the gardeners, who are mostly pensioners, have struggled to carry heavy containers of water to their Howley Grange allotments from the back of their cars parked in the road.

Their supply dried up ten weeks ago after neighbouring Howley Grange Scout leaders became concerned the hut’s water bills were too high after the installation of a meter three years ago.

Eventually it was discovered a feeder pipe leading from their supply had been keeping the allotments green and lush for 20 years.

Group Scout leader Rex Butler said: “We couldn’t understand why the bills were so hefty and finally South Staffs Water tested and said there must be a leak.”

Digging revealed the feeder pipe but the Scouts thought it was a disused pipe which must be leaking, so blocked it off at the beginning of May.

Rex said they had not realised it was supplying the allotments and South Staffs Water had subsequently told him the allotments must have their own meter.

Retired engineering manager 67-year-old Joe Reeves, said he and fellow gardeners were “frustrated” at the lack of progress by allotment owners Dudley Council in re-instating a water supply to the site.

He is using a wheelbarrow to transport eight gallons of water – during hot spells two or times a day – an estimated 100m from his car to just inside the gate and then down to his allotment.

“Our average age is probably about 62-63, but one allotment holder is 80 and is having to lumber down with gallons of water.

“It’s too much and some of them are threatening to pack up if it goes on much longer.”

A council spokesman said: “We are now liaising with South Staffs Water and hope to have a water supply in place by the end of July.

“We apologise to allotment users for any inconvenience caused in the meantime.”

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