21 August 2023 , 21:34
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Authorities are working to redirect floodwater from family homes after a mains burst on a residential street today.
Dramatic photographs taken by residents in Ronkswood, Worcester, show water spout out of a hole in the ground. People have been warned to avoid the area and a police cordon has been erected, closing the road in both directions. Water has pushed rubble from the road.
Water has reportedly gushed into at least one garden on the street, which is in a sprawling suburb popular with families. It was first reported this morning but, as there has been another burst water main in the same area, Severn Trent Water is stretched to resolve the Ronkswood one.
"We’re sorry if you’re still experiencing supply interruptions due to a burst water pipe near to Red Hill Lane that occurred at 04.30 this morning. Our teams attended the location to get most properties back on supply an hour later," the water company said.
Due to the complex repair and deep excavation, the fix is taking longer than we first anticipated and we’re working hard to get this resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible.
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"Our teams are responding to another burst main at Liverpool Road and a road closure is in place. We’re sorry to anybody impacted by this and we’re working hard to resolve the issue, which can be fixed once the Red Hill Lane burst is repaired."
But, as pictures show, the burst water main has been spraying water into the air - and this has caused the road's tarmac to break up near to the jet of water. Small stones were being thrown into the air and the area is now scattered with rubble from the road.
Residents turned to social media to share their concern. One man joked on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the scenes resembled a water fountain. He posted: "Not sure whether the new water fountain feature in Liverpool Road, #Worcester was such a good idea after all" alongside a video of the liquid spewing up from the ground. Worcestershire Highways, part of the council, confirmed on X it was on site.
At around 10am, South Worcestershire Police, part of West Mercia Police, tweeted: "Officers are at the scene of a major burst water main at the junction of Chelmsford Road and Liverpool Road in Worcester. Liverpool Road closed from Canterbury Road to Prestwich Avenue while Severn Trent fix the issue. Please seek alternative routes."