City centre flooded after water main bursts

A city centre was flooded and thousands of properties were hit with water supply problems when a main burst.

The pipe ruptured on Saddler Street in Durham city centre just before 07:00 GMT, with nearby Market Square and Elvet Bridge flooded, Northumbrian Water said.

The firm said about 3,000 properties were affected but supplies had now been restored.

A number of businesses in the area are understood to have had to close.

A spokesperson for the water company said: "We isolated the burst quickly, but are still working hard on clearing the flooding and standing water left behind.

"The road has been closed to vehicles to allow us to do this safely and so we can carry out our repairs, however the path will be reopened to pedestrians within the next few hours.

"We expect repairs on the water main to be completed tonight, but the reinstatement of the road may take a few days."

Durham County Council advised people to "bring your wellies" if they were coming to the city centre.

It added a road closure was in place between Market Place and the Magdalene Steps.

"Pedestrian access is still possible so you can still access all the businesses in the area – but you'd be wise to bring waterproof footwear!" the local authority said.

"The road closure is within the city's Controlled Parking Zone so sees limited traffic anyway but access will be maintained for emergency vehicles.

"The road will reopen as soon as possible."

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