Two workmen from Severn Trent capped a major water eruption on the A530 Park Road in Nantwich today (July 25).
The leak had sent jets of water blasting 30ft of water into the air.
The men staked the ruptured steel pipe in an hour-long operation that stopped the powerful geyser.
The leak was triggered by “heat changes” believed to have weakened the steel — a side effect of Britain’s erratic weather.
While steel pipes naturally expand under heat, repeated surges in temperature can cause fractures.
For several days, water had trickled out, forcing the installation of temporary traffic lights at the busy Park Road and Shrewbridge Road junction.
It became increasingly hazardous, prompting the closure of a section of Park Road until further notice.
A specialist team from UTS Engineering is expected on site tomorrow (Saturday) to carry out welding work to reinforce the pipe.
Nearby residents were urged to move their vehicles from the area as the force of the water may have launched mud and debris into the air.
The water supply in Nantwich remained unaffected.
The damaged pipe serves the Stafford area further downstream.
Had it been necessary to shut off the supply, an estimated 22,000 homes and businesses in Stafford would have been affected.
Traditionally constructed from galvanized steel, such pipes are increasingly being replaced by PVC or plastic due to their resilience against corrosion and heat.
(story and pics by Jonathan White)
Says it all water trickling out. Just like standing on a cliff edge expecting not to fall off anytime soon!!