Tipton road flooded as water main bursts

A major route through Tipton was left under water today after a main pipe was damaged.

Homes were left without water and queues of traffic built up after the pipe burst under Horseley Road, leaving it under six inches of water.

It is believed the damage was caused by workers just before 10am.

Traffic stretched as far as the island at Asda Great Bridge while water gushed on to pavements in the area.

Police were at the scene today directing traffic away from the area. Steve Coleman, manager of the Port 'n' Ale pub in Horseley Heath said water had flooded into its cellar.

Mr Coleman said: "We are at the bottom of a dip in the road so we have got got a couple of inches pouring in. We have got some pumps keeping the water out, but the moving traffic is just driving more water into the cellar."

Holiday advisor Vicky Martin, aged 27, who lives on Jonah Drive, said: "It's absolutely crazy. I can't believe it. It happened before, about a year ago. I can remember trying to get to work but I couldn't. Goodness knows how much damage this is doing."

Retired warehouse worker Janet Clee, aged 60 of Tame Road, said: "It is really bad, it is running down the road and some of the cars are getting stuck." The mother-of-one who has five grandchildrenadded she had no water at her property.

South Staffs Water spokesman Mike Turrell, said the main had been broken by a third party working in the area.

"Teams are on site and on their way to shut the main off," he added.