Drivers suffer burst water mains

10 February 2012

In addition to snow and ice, motorists have yet another Arctic enemy to dodge - burst water mains.

Prone to leak and burst once the water inside them drops below 5C, scores of pipes have done just that as temperatures across the UK plummet.

Motorists have been urged by the Metropolitan Police to avoid Bayswater Road and Old Kent Road in London, after burst water mains flooded the roads.

Breaking down in sub-zero temperatures causes havoc for the motorists involved, so ensure you have comprehensive breakdown cover .

Nearly double the number of pipe-fixing teams are stand-by over the weekend to cope with similar problems, Thames Water has said.

Jerry White, Thames Water's head of water production, said: "We're getting our crews ready to tackle the bursts and we've got an additional 12 gangs getting ready to repair them as quickly as possible.

"As well as being disruptive, bursts and leaks waste water and with a drought looking more and more likely, saving water is more important now than ever."

He added: "Although this year we have reduced leakage to the lowest levels in the company's history, you are our eyes and ears so if you see a leak - please don't assume we already know about it.

"The sooner a leak is reported, the quicker we can fix it."

Copyright Press Association 2012