Severn Trent has been lambasted by furious residents who are being forced to walk in the road because of a water leak, more than seven weeks after it was reported.

Residents from Truro Drive and other streets on the Habberley estate have bombarded the water company with calls since the leak began on April 21, sending a steady stream of water down Truro Drive, creating several large puddles on the pavement.

Graham Crumpton, whose garden wall is being undermined by the water flow, claimed the lives of pensioners who used the road were being put at risk.

A spokeswoman for Severn Trent told the Shuttle/Times & News last month the repair was due to be carried out by May 29. However, despite the assurance, residents this week said no-one has been out to tackle the problem.

Sylvia Black, chairman of the estate's tenants consultative committee, said: "People are very fed up. No-one can get an answer on when this work will be carried out."

She said residents who were contacting Severn Trent were being told the matter was in the hands of a sub-contractor but the company did not have any further details.

Mrs Black said pensioners visiting Habberley Tenants Association Club were forced to leave the pavement at several places and walk in the road in order to avoid large puddles.

In addition, she said Truro Drive was also used by mothers and children to access a play area.

She added: "Everyone is at risk. If this was winter time there would be a lot of broken bones."

A spokeswoman for Severn Trent said the company's records showed it had sent workmen out on May 29 to rectify the problem.

She added: "If there is still some sort of problem, we will go out again and investigate and hopefully pinpoint the cause."