Hot weather slows down repairs on burst water main in Great Yarmouth

Repairs are under way in Caister Road after two pipes burst on Wednesday evening. Picture: Daniel Crocker (Image: Daniel Crocker)

Two water mains burst on Caister Road in Great Yarmouth late yesterday (Wednesday) and have closed part of the road since.

Essex and Suffolk Water, who manage the town’s water system have been working to repair the problem since, and hope to have the work finished by tomorrow.

A spokesman for the company said: ““Our teams are continuing to work around the clock on repairs to two burst water mains on Caister Road Great Yarmouth.

“Repairs to the burst at the junction with Barnard Crescent and Jellicoe Road were completed by midday today (Thursday), and we are now carrying out carriageway reinstatement works.

“The repairs to the road surface need to be undertaken in layers, which need time to cool off before the next layer can be applied.

“This process is being slowed by the very high temperatures we are currently experiencing, so the full road closure and associated diversion route will remain in place overnight and at least into Friday.

“Repairs are still ongoing on the second, larger, burst located close to the Greyhound Stadium on Yarmouth Road.

“We hope to have repairs here completed by tomorrow morning, which will then be followed by work to reinstatement the carriageway. The 2-lane contraflow will remain in place while this is being completed.”

Some customers have seen problems with their water pressure as a result of the burst mains, particularly in the Gorleston area.

The spokesman added: “Water pressure is improving in the area but customers may notice a slight drop in pressure between 4pm and 10pm this evening when demand is at its highest.

“We ask customers to use water wisely particularly at this time to help us maintain supplies. We’d like thank everyone again for their patience, and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”