A family and dog is rescued from Belsize Road by dingy [Simon Lamrock]

THOUSANDS have been left without water and people have been led to safety by firefighters in boats after a burst main flooded a road in South Hampstead overnight.

The London Fire Brigade said it was using flood barriers and a high volume pumping unit to divert the water that was around 4pm this afternoon (Saturday) still cascading down Belsize Road from the roundabout to almost the junction with Abbey Road.

The 800-metre free-flowing stream of water, waste deep in the dip in Belsize Road around some points, has been caused by a 42-inch water main burst.

Around 100 properties are affected by flood water and “rest-centre” for affected residents opened at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre. The first emergency calls came through at about 3am this morning.

Police cordons shut down several roads [Simon Lamrock] 

“It’s horrendous,” said Joan Munro, chair of the South Hampstead Flood Action Group. “People who have only just recovered from last year’s flood have been badly flooded again.

“And lots of others who escaped last year have been affected.

“Thames Water really needs to do something about the Victorian sewage system round here because with the impact of climate change this could happen again and again.

“And the government needs to ensure everyone can get flood insurance.”

Homes further down Belsize Road, near the junction with Priory Road, were severely damaged during flash floods in the summer of 2021.

Many residents in basement flats destroyed in those floods had to be moved into temporary accommodation but remain out of pocket because of a loophole in the insurance system.

Firefighters in Belsize Road, near Abbey Road junction   

Omar Rahman, speaking his first floor window near the worst section of flooding in Belsize Road,  said: “Some of the cars have been lifted and moved just from the water itself.

“I’ve been up since 3-4am, I haven’t been able to sleep. The water is waste deep down where the road dips.

“I’ve been watching my neighbours getting moved out by boat.

“They are constantly digging this road up and putting in pipes here and then this still happens. I don’t know what causes it but it’s really got ridiculous now.

“People are worried to live here now because of this. It’s a madness.”

The Belsize Road pipe burst was not the only one in South Hampstead.

Water was also pouring out of a crack in the road and running down Goldhurst Terrace, another street severely hit by flooding in the summer last year.

Fairfax Road, Hilgrove Road, Belsize Road, Fairhazel Gardens and Loudon Road were closed to traffic.

The gravity of the situation was so bad that it met the threshold for the Salvation Army to bring along its vans with hot drinks and snacks for the firefighters and stranded residents.

Karl and Ruth Gray set up a Salvation Army food van for firefighters and stranded residents  

The huge levels of wasted water was criticised by residents.

“Too much money to shareholders,” said Pete Pitman, a resident who had come to “watch the show”. “And why can’t they invest money in their own country instead of putting it in hedgefunds abroad?”

The government has, through privatisation, abdicated responsibility for the water service to Thames Water, a private company, that been criticised for prioritising profits over the service.

The 31 bus was on diversion away from Belsize Road

Station Commander Gary Deacon said: “This is a significant flooding that has affected around 100 properties and left thousands without water. Shift water rescue crews used boats to move around 20 people to upper floors of properties. Three adults and a child were evacuated to a place of safe haven.

“A number of residents have decided to remain in their properties and we’re patrolling the affected area to assist any further people who require assistance.

“There are numerous road closures in place and we’re asking people to avoid the area where possible.”

Firefighters used boats to reach people

He added: “The water authority are working to isolate the burst water main and firefighters are expected to remain at the scene throughout the afternoon.

“Crews are using flood barriers and a high volume pumping unit to divert flood water.

“A rest centre has been set up for affected residents at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre.”

Crews from West Hampstead, Kentish Town, Euston, North Kensington and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.