Banbury MP Sean Woodcock has called for urgent action to repair a long-running water leak outside the town’s Morrisons store, describing months of delays as “completely unacceptable”.

Mr Woodcock says local residents first raised concerns with him about the leak at the junction of Upper Windsor Street and Swan Close Road in December 2025.

Since then, he says he has repeatedly contacted Oxfordshire County Council seeking action and clarification over who is responsible for the issue.

The leak has consistently caused large amounts of water to collect at the junction and has led to several large potholes forming.

Sean Woodcock has criticised the delays in repairing a long-running water leak in the town centre.

placeholder image — Sean Woodcock has criticised the delays in repairing a long-running water leak in the town centre.

There has been ongoing uncertainty over the source of the leak, with both Oxfordshire County Council and Thames Water carrying out several investigations over the past few years to determine the cause.

Mr Woodcock says he has now been informed that work to replace a calcified pipe and carry out further investigations into the source of the water has been scheduled for late July.

He also says a temporary plate will be installed over the leak to reduce the risk posed to motorists and pedestrians.

He said: “For months, there has been confusion over the source of the leak, with responsibility appearing to fall between Thames Water and Oxfordshire County Council.

“I have now been informed that work to replace a calcified pipe and further investigate the source of the water is scheduled for late July. In the meantime, the area is due to be plated to reduce the risk to motorists and pedestrians.

“While I welcome this progress, it is completely unacceptable that it has taken so long to reach this point. The ongoing leak has posed a safety risk, caused significant disruption, and resulted in a considerable waste of water.

“Local residents and bill payers should not be left to bear the cost of delays and a lack of accountability. I will continue to monitor the situation closely and press for the work to be completed without any further delay.”

The Banbury MP says he will continue to seek updates from the county council and Thames Water until the repairs have been completed and the source of the leak has been identified and resolved.