A LEAK is the latest in a long line of problems to plague a subway that has already cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The subway, which links Walthamstow Central to the bus station, was part of a £500,000 make-over of the station.

It was supposed to be functional in April 2005 but, opened two-and-half years late.

It then emerged the lift to the bus station was not working because an electricity sub-station had not been built in time.

This led to red-faced Transport for London (TfL) officials issuing an apology to those commuters who cannot easily climb steep steps.

The lift is now working but commuters are having to deal with another problem - water from a leaking pipe regularly flooding the steps down to the subway, making them slippery.

TfL is blaming Thames Water for not fixing the leak, but commuters are not impressed.

Noel Hayes, 69, of Larkshall Road, Chingford, said: "Thames Water should get it's finger out. This has been going on just after Christmas.

"I don't see why TfL has to carry the can for something that is not their fault. It is irresponsible of Thames Water not to fix this more quickly."

Michaela Macius, 18, of Westerham Road, Leyton, added she had slipped when walking up the steps but was fortunately not hurt.

She said: "Thames Water aren't a poor company. I'm sure they have enough money to fix this leak. It is dangerous for everyone and someone could get hurt."

But Anne Mitchell, 65, from Camden, north London, disagreed.

She said: "If they are working to fix it I believe they will fix it. They have put signs up warning people and I don't think there is more that can be done."

A sign pinned up in the subway written by group station manager Debbie Howard said: ""I apologise for the ongoing leakage problems which originate from a Thames Water pipe.

"To prevent the closure of the station we have a cleaning team onsite working around the clock, but please take care. Thames Water assure me they are working to fix the leak."

A Thames Water spokeswoman said: "The coldest winter in 12 years has lead to a significant increase in bursts and leaks on our water mains.

"Despite the weather warming up, our engineers continue to work around the clock repairing burst water mains caused by the recent freeze.

"We have repaired two burst water mains on Selborne Road over the past month, however, the reported leak on the underpass is unrelated to these incidents.

"Our leak detection team will be investigating the leak this evening and we would like to assure customers that it will be repaired as soon as possible."