Traders at a market in Upton Park are “furious” about a leaky roof they say is soaking their stock and customers.

Newham Recorder: The leaky roof in Queens Market, Green StreetThe leaky roof in Queens Market, Green Street (Image: Archant)

A “cascade” of water pours onto the Queen’s Market in Green Street despite having been repaired several times, they say.

Pauline Rowe, secretary of Friends of Queen’s Market, said the leak has been even worse during the recent downpour and is damaging trade.

She said: “It really forms a serious puddle and makes it impossible for traders to do business.

“Some traders have had their stock damaged.”

Ms Rowe said traders could be victims of a “turf war” between different council departments, as half the rood is run by Newham’s Highways department and half the department of Environment.

She said: “The worst leak of all is where the two halves join - because neither department wants to know!”

Neil Stockwell, 50, a fruit and vegetable trader in the market, said: “These conditions are an insult to the shoppers and traders of Newham.

“The Council builds itself brand new buildings costing millions but they won’t pay for builders with the know-how to fix the roof.”

Sasha Laurel, chair of Friends of Queen’s Market, said: “If the council can’t sort a small water problem like this, how would they cope with a flood emergency?”

Newham Council said they hope to start work on the roof as soon as the rainy weather stops.

A spokeswoman said: “We want everyone at Queens Market to have the best possible shopping opportunities in a safe and clean environment and we respond to complaints as quickly as we can.

“Repairs are scheduled to deal with water leaks from the roof area but we need dry weather to be able to do them properly and there hasn’t been much of that recently. We hope to begin work early next week.

She added: “If the proposed repairs don’t sort out the problem then we will look at other solutions.”