UPDATED: Great Preston Road in Ryde has been closed due to a burst water main, which has lifted the carriageway and sent thousands of litres of water gushing down the road this morning (Saturday).
A section of the carriageway close to the junction with Smallbrook Lane has cracked and lifted, resulting in an emergency road closure between High Park Road and Smallbrook Lane
The burst of what is thought to be a 12″ main occurred at around 05:00, however it is currently unknown how many households are without water supply and how many have reduced pressure.
The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service are on scene and are diverting water using hoses after a number of properties began to flood. Sandbags have now been put in place by Docklands Traffic Management on behalf of Southern Water to assist the situation.
Water continues to flow down the length of Great Preston Road as Southern Water are unable to access valves which have been ‘covered over’ by Island Roads. A digger is now on site to begin works to investigate the extent of the burst and to access the valves
A local resident has told Island Echo that the fire service, Southern Water and Police have been fantastic in their response, but feels that she has been left ‘isolated and abandoned’ by Island Roads, to which a problem with the road surface at the site of the burst has been reported multiple times.
Motorists are likely to be adversely affected by the road closure, not made easier by up to 5,000 scooterists expected at nearby Smallbrook Stadium for the annual Scooter rally.
Southern Vectis Route 2 buses are diverting via Marlborough Road until further notice.
UPDATE @ 08:00 – Smallbrook Lane has now also been closed to allow access to the water valves. The closure is in force from Smallbrook Roundabout to Westridge Cross.
All scooterists and motorists should divert to Smallbrook Stadium via Ashey Road.
Great Preston Road is expected to remain closed for several days, whilst it is hoped that Smallbrook Lane can reopen within a matter of hours.
UPDATE @ 08:45 – Southern Water have confirmed that staff are currently rezoning water around the affected area. An update is expected soon on which areas will be restored with water supply.
A spokesperson for the utility company has said:
“We are working as fast as we can to restore your water supply as soon as possible. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused”.
UPDATE @ 09:20 – Southern Water have confirmed that 3,000 properties have been affected by the loss of water supply, however work is continuing to reroute water and restore supplies to households.
UPDATE @ 09:40 – The majority of households in the Elmfield and Oakfield areas have now had water restored.
A spokesperson for Southern Water has said in their latest update:
“Southern Water have rezoned the water to most of our customers.
“As supplies fully restore customers may experience some discolouration to their water. Rest assured this is perfectly safe to use.
“Drinking water can sometimes appear ‘milky’ or ‘cloudy’ when first drawn from the tap. This is usually caused by air and generally disappears after a short time.
“If your water is white, milky or cloudy fill a glass with water and leave to stand for a few minutes. If the cloudiness clears from the bottom of the glass upwards, this shows the cloudy appearance has been caused by air. The tiny air bubbles will rise to the surface and the cloudy appearance will disappear. If the water does not clear in this way, please contact us.
“You may find that your tap water looks slightly brown. This is because some water mains are made of iron and over time rust deposits can settle in the pipes.
“This can happen for a number of reasons, for example; a burst on the water main; bringing a water main back into use after repairs; having to move water from one area to another to cope with changes in demand; the fire service taking a lot of water to deal with an emergency”.
Smallbrook Lane is now thought to have reopened to motorists in both directions, however Great Preston Road remains closed whilst work is undertaken to replace the water main.
UPDATE @ 15:21 – All Customers are said to now be back in supply, however work continues to repair the 12″ main.
The next update from Southern Water is due at 16:00.
UPDATE @ 17:10 – Smallbrook Lane has now reopened in both directions.
Great Preston Road remains closed as engineers continue repair works.
