A burst water main that is sending thousands of litres of fresh water down the main road in Nettlestone has sparked fears of an imminent collapse of the carriageway, which has been blocked off by residents.
For the third time in as many weeks, locals in Nettlestone have lost supply as a result of a burst main – this latest incident being just 30 yards from 1 of the previous bursts on Eddington Road.
The pavement has lifted and the road is now uneven with cracks appearing minute by minute. The highway is bulging in place.
Savvy locals are collecting water in wheelie bins, buckets and watering cans to make use of the wastage in light of a hosepipe ban in the region.
The road is blocked and impassable between Caws Avenue and Kerry Fields, with a formal road closure – that will last several days – expected in due course. Southern Vectis buses, as well as all other local traffic, are now having to divert via Carpenters Road in both directions.
It comes just hours after Brading High Street re-opened following emergency repair works to a 6-inch main there.
UPDATE @ 14:30 – Southern Water engineers have arrived at Nettlestone to begin investigations into the extent of the burst, which occurred shortly before 13:45.
Island Echo understands 3 water mains run under the road, as well as a gas pipe. Markings from the previous repair suggest it is a different main that has blown.
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Are Wight Fibre in the area?…
What happens is due to all the new homes being built here, to cope with demand, the water company has to increase the pressure to supply all.
But whilst the new estates have brand new water pipes, the old pipes can’t handle the increased pressure so fracture more easily, especially when combined with dry soil conditions aiding lateral movement.
It will get far worse as more homes are built in Ryde area. Watch and learn.
Dirty water for free!!! Quickly, let’s fill our bins and wheelbarrows!!! How bizarre.
Nothing bizarre about it, free water for your gardens and veggie patch bonus!!! Only going to waste otherwise.
Only on the Isle of Wight.
Try Islington.
Probably get some weird looks, scooping dirty water into a 240 litre bin and wheeling it around…
Really ???
I know times are hard,.. but all that effort for a few pence worth of water at the most… I’m not sure the word ‘Savvy’ is quite the right one….
Perhaps a bit of preventive maintenance/renewal would have been a good idea instead of taking obscene profits?
And moan that the roads are constantly closed for such maintenance/renewal….
as if we didnt already know whos to blame for the hosepipe ban theres your answer.3 times in as many weeks
Fantastic. I know these things happen, just the way it is sometimes, but it really rubs salt in the wound at the moment.
Is this another leak that has been known about and ignored one must ask?
That’s what happens when we’re not allowed to use our hoses to release the buildup of pressure – two burst mains in one day.
3rd major burst in less than a week. Just round the corner on the estate there have been several leaks. One on Orchard Rd, still leaking, been that long, green moss & algae have populated it. And Southern Water are apparently investing millions & fixing leaks – ?
Southern Water has to make a profit for it’s shareholders and it’s cheaper for them to patch and repair than to invest in the inforstucture.
Another leak??? Brading too??? Come on southern water get a grip!!!
You couldn’t make it up. Southern Water working in partnership with Wightlink to bring misery to the residents of the Isle of Wight.
Just brilliant during a heatwave , timing was perfect