Busy Street Transformed into River by Burst Water Main
A busy street in Birmingham turned into a chaotic scene resembling a river after a burst water main caused flooding mayhem. The incident, which occurred in the Sparkhill area at 7 am on Friday, left residents without water and forced schools to close. Thousands of liters of water flowed down Stratford Road, causing extensive flooding and posing a risk of significant damage to businesses along the street.
- Witnesses described seeing fridges and wheelie bins floating down the street.
- Police, fire crews, and Severn Trent Water were on site.
- Engineers worked tirelessly to repair the leak throughout the day.
Najma Parveen, a resident, expressed, “The whole road has been turned into a river – it’s caused absolute chaos all day. Some roads have reopened now but you can still see the water being pumped out in huge volumes.” She highlighted the disruptions caused, including water shortages in homes, school closures, and intense traffic.
Water pressure issues extended across nine postcodes, affecting areas up to six miles away in Solihull. The West Midlands Fire Service reported road closures and the deployment of three fire engines to manage the situation. Severn Trent Water representatives were present to assess the leak’s source and mitigate further damage. An environmental evaluation confirmed that the water involved was clean.
Impacts and Responses
- Springfield Primary Academy, Little Springers nursery, and Greet Primary School shut down due to water shortage.
- Severn Trent Water assured customers of efforts to restore water supply quickly.
- Specialist crews and submersible pumps were utilized to limit property damage.
Severn Trent Water stated, “The pipe that’s burst is 28 inches, a critical feed to the area, generating significant disruptions and flooding. We acknowledge the community’s inconvenience and are working closely to address the impact.” Teams with the assistance of the fire service aimed to reduce disruptions but advised people to avoid the area to minimize traffic congestion.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of infrastructure maintenance and preparedness for such emergencies, urging residents and businesses to remain vigilant for updates and support each other during challenging times.