Repairs to begin on water-damaged road

TRAFFIC lights are now in place while repairs are carried out

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

ENGINEERS are expecting to work on site for the rest of the week to repair damage to a footpath caused when a water main burst and flooded Oldham road on Sunday.

United Utilities have confirmed that Huddersfield Road has now re-opened following the pipe burst, however temporary traffic lights are likely to remain in place to allow footpath repair work to be carried out.

Damage

Hundreds of homes were left without water for several hours on Sunday after the water main burst and sent torrents of water cascading down Culvert Street, opposite Waterhead Academy.

The road was closed by emergency services and the pipe was eventually repaired after 7pm.

A United Utilities spokesman said: "The burst pipe has now been fully repaired and water supplies are now back to normal.

"There is some remaining surface damage to the footpath on Huddersfield Road, which will need to repaired, and the pavement put back to how it was.

"We are expecting to be on site for the rest of the week while these repairs are carried out.

"We will be using temporary traffic lights to control the flow of traffic and to ensure a safe working environment on site."

He also confirmed the cause of the pipe burst has not yet been established, however a full investigation by United Utilities will take place.

The pipe burst outside the Shepherd's Boy pub on Huddersfield Road, with the establishment forced to close throughout Sunday while the incident was dealt with.

Norma Whitehead, who has run the pub since 1978, said she had never experienced anything like it.

She said: "It was like Niagara Falls. There was so much water and it was rushing down the side of the pub.

"Some managed to get into the cellar and we are just going through the damage but it doesn't seem to be too bad.

"It looks like the foundations are fine and they haven't been affected."

She added that they will be going through the cellar, which was mainly used for storage, and making an inventory of anything that has been damaged.

"These things are sent to try us but we're opening as usual for the the darts on Monday."

The United Utilities spokesman added that they will be liaising with the pub owners regarding the damage in the cellar.