‘WE MOPPED AS MUCH AS WE COULD’
Road shut as burst pipe floods stores
FLOODING caused by a burst water pipe led to a road closure and forced businesses to remain shut.
High Street, in Tunstall, was closed to motorists just before 4am yesterday, with police saying at least six businesses have been hit by the flood.
Shops such as ivape, £1 Baguettes and Pies, a school uniform shop, Cool Trader and Subway were inaccessible.
Tunstall Indoor Market remained open via side entrances but the building was partially flooded.
Melissa Bryan, of J Bryan Grocers, said: “When we came in there was water coming into the market, which was not a good start.
“Quite a few of us were there mopping it up as much as we could.
“It was a lot quieter and very slow in comparison to a normal day, which is probably because they’ve closed the front off.
“We have advertised as much as we can on Facebook, but even police officers were telling people the market was closed.”
Pauline Parry, owner of The Market Grill cafe, added: “We came in and water was all over the floor inside the market.
“We were all mopping and just doing what we could, and then our cleaner got a machine out that helped dry the floor and get the rest of the water out so we could have customers in.
“With less footfall and less visitors to the market, it’s going to affect people. There was a lady who had been in and she was struggling to find her way back onto the High Street afterwards. It’s confused a lot of people.”
Many residents on nearby Broomhill Street experienced a range of problems with their water
– from reduced pressure to none at all.
Phil Berry, aged 67, said: “I’ve had murky, horrible water but it’s all still been on.
“One of my mates woke up before work and couldn’t even fill his kettle.
“I walked down to the High Street and it was all flooded, and there’s rubble all down by the Globe pub. It’s a bit of a mess.”
Neighbour Jane Holdcroft, aged 66, said: “The only problem I’ve had is that the water has been discoloured, particularly in the toilet. Severn Trent sent an email to say it should clear the more we use it, but I wouldn’t want to have a bath in it.”
A spokesperson for Severn Trent said: “We had a burst pipe on High Street at about 3.30am. We’d like to apologise to anyone who was affected, but the really good news is that everyone was back on supply after about three hours.
“We’re now looking at fixing the pipe, which will see us dig down to it and replace the section of pipe that burst.
“It will take some time to lay the tarmac, wait for it to dry and to cure once we can reinstate the road. It’s not something you can do quickly.”