Another day, another huge pipe burst

HOMES AND BUSINESSES ARE LEFT WITHOUT WATER

FLOODWATER from a burst main left roads and businesses closed and homes without water supplies.

Water submerged Scotswood Road in Newcastle after a 30-inch burst on an underground pipe yesterday.

Torrents of water flooded the busy commuter route, leaving homes without water and causing Eldon Square to be evacuated.

Some businesses were also forced to close their doors, with firms nearby evacuated.

The drama unfolded at around 10am when the pipe burst on the A6085 near the B&Q roundabout.

Northumbrian Water said customers across both Newcastle and Gateshead were affected.

Photos showed how nearby roads turned to rivers, with one van becoming submerged in water.

Van driver Assan Malik, from Lemington, had been travelling along Scotswood road from Team Valley when he became stranded.

He said: “On our way back, the floods came from nowhere.

“I attempted to get past because it wasn’t that high, but as I passed it, it came gushing from nowhere and the van has been flooded.”

Shoppers and workers were evacuated from Eldon Square due to low water pressure caused by the burst main. Hundreds of people converged on Old Eldon Square following the evacuation after the tannoy systems inside the shopping centre announced: “Due to an incident, please evacuate the building.” At the time of the evacuation, the intu Eldon Square Twitter account said: “Due to loss of water in the centre, we are currently evacuating the whole of intu Eldon Square. We’re sorry for any disruption caused.”

Workers and shoppers were able to return to the shopping centre after approximately 45 minutes.

At around 3pm, engineers could be seen pumping water away from Scotswood Road after a section of replacement pipe was delivered.

A statement issued by Northumbrian Water said: “During the burst, 214 people reported issues around no water or poor pressure, including Eldon Square and Scotswood B&Q.

“Thanks to the great work by our operational teams we were able to stop and isolate the burst in and around an hour and have the supply rezoned, meaning that most of our customers’ water was back on within two hours.”

The spokesperson added: “We have our insurance and recovery teams down in the area to speak to local businesses and people affected by the flooding and ensure they are receiving all the support they need at this time.”

During the burst, 214 people reported issues around no water or poor pressure Northumbrian Water statement