City centre flooded after water main bursts

A city centre has been flooded and thousands of properties have been hit with water supply problems after a main burst.

The pipe burst 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 and repairs were being carried out.

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

A spokesperson for the water company said: "Our teams attended quickly and are currently on site carrying out repairs, however we expect that the road will need to be closed this morning due to flooding.

"The network has been re-zoned, but around 3,000 properties may still be seeing issues with their water supply while our teams continue to carry out repairs."

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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