MP Bob Neill has penned a letter to Thames Water stating he and local residents are "hugely frustrated" with the repeated leaks and consequent disruption in Bromley and Chislehurst.

In a letter to the executive chairman of the company, Ian Marchant, Mr Neill points to series of cases in the borough in recent months, and said the "common theme in all of them is what customers perceive to be a lack of thought or priority given by Thames Water."

Demanding action, the Bromley and Chislehurst MP states that performances have been "substandard" and has urged the company to provide an update on their plans to deliver on promised improvements.

A number of recent leaks, burst pipes and road closures for repairs irked local residents in last year, and this was recognised by the regulator Ofwat marking Thames Water with a 'D' rating in several departments, including on operational-resilience and cost-efficiency.

Just last month, Elmstead Lane, which is a major route leading to the local train station, care home and nearby schools and serving the 314 bus route, was closed due a reported burst water main.

Despite the importance of the road, work overran by several days, "causing considerable congestion," as well as motorists mounting the pavement to try and avoid the repair works.

Mr Neill also pointed to another case in Chislehurst last month where a road traffic plan was put in place, but work started three days late.

The MP said this was "hugely frustrating for residents" and caused unnecessary disruption as it also overran.

Thames Water have promised to improve and said there is a renewed focus on a reduction in leaks, and are also engaging with Bromley Council and local stakeholders to work through these issues.

But this isn't the first time the Conservative MP has raised these issues with Thames Water, with a similar letter sent in 2017 complaining of recent problems in the Bromley area.

Since then, Mr Neill says it is "disappointing that little, if anything, has changed during that time."

He added that given the same problems still regularly persist, many of its customers will remain sceptical, and therefore they needed to see "genuine day-to-day improvements to the service provided."