WATER has been gushing from a burst water main for more than 24 hours.

Concerned residents notified Thames Water of the leak in Hall Lane, Chingford, yesterday morning and although engineers attended and fenced off the flooding, the water is still pouring into the road.

Cars are having to swerve to avoid the flooding and drivers are unable to stop to park near the shops because of it.

Waltham Forest ward councillor for Chingford Green, Graham Sinclair, works near the flooded road and notified the council and water company yesterday.

He said: “As a councillor, I am absolutely disgusted. Apart from the obvious dangers it poses, the road is starting to look like an extension of the River Lea.

“I was very concerned because the water was rising at such a level and creeping up to nearby properties."

A burst water main has also caused flooding in Leytonstone High Road since Friday, near the junction of Harrow Road.

A Thames Water spokeswoman said repairs were started on the main in Hall Lane at 10am - but water is still leaking into in the road.

She said delays to repairs have been caused by the high number of burst mains Thames Water is dealing as a result of the cold weather - which is double the amount than usual.

She said: "Due to the number of bursts, we are having to prioritise repairs depending on how much it is impacting on our customers.

"The cold weather has doubled the number of burst water pipes across London and the Thames Valley. At this time of year Thames Water would normally expect to have a backlog of 200 leaks to fix but the current list is 400.

"We are busy but we are totally prepared for this and we have got the manpower and resources to tackle the increased workload. The conditions are the main challenge - getting around is much more difficult and jobs are taking longer than usual because of all the snow and ice."

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