Hospital using water reserves as burst pipe affects supplies

A burst water main has affected water supplies to properties, including Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, and blocked a main road.

Barnwood Road, in Gloucester, has been flooded by water due to a burst pipe.

The nearby Gloucestershire Royal Hospital said it is "not anticipating any water shortages" as it has reserves that can last two days.

A team from supplier Severn Trent are on site and people are being asked to avoid the area.

The supplier has said the burst of one of their larger pipes was likely caused by recent freezing temperatures that can put pressure on pipe joints, causing them to leak or burst.

Clara Hudson has lived on Barnwood Road for 55 years, she said: "I've never seen anything like it - I've got no water or electricity."

She added the water level was rising "all the time".

Richard and Sarah Jackson live on the road and said it had also left them without power or water.

Mr Jackson said the water rose quickly in the last couple of hours and was still rising, he added he was "a bit nervous" in case it rises anymore and goes into their property.

People living in homes close to Barnwood Road have been told their power may be disrupted while the water is pumped away.

A Severn Trent spokesperson apologised for the disruptions caused.

"Our engineers are on site and are doing everything they can to restore supplies as quickly as possible as a first priority, before getting everything back to normal. Again, we're really sorry for the inconvenience this is causing," a company statement said.

Gloucestershire County Council's highways team have closed the road, assisted by Gloucestershire Police.

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