Road collapses after flooding from burst water main

Part of the A4175 Keynsham Road in Willsbridge has collapsed

Part of a major road has collapsed on one side after flooding from a burst water main.

Multiple crews from Avon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were called to the A4175 Keynsham Road in Willsbridge, between Bristol and Bath at 04:58 BST.

Crews have now left the scene, but the road remains closed in multiple directions between the Avon Mill Lane in Keynsham A431 Bath Road roundabout in Willsbridge.

Ogie Placido, who lives on Keynsham Road, said: "[It's] not good for the residents. There's a massive hole there. It's literally a construction site at the moment."

She said that the National Grid, Bristol Water and emergency services were all at the scene.

She added that this is the second time residents in Willsbridge have had a burst water main "since the pandemic".

"We had no water for quite some time [last time], so hopefully it gets sorted," she said.

"We've spoken to some of the men who work here, they say the footpath might be closed between a week or two."

Firefighters were called after the water main burst in Willsbridge

Bristol Water said it hopes to fix the pipe by the end of the day, but expects it could take seven to 10 days to repair the road surface and reopen the road.

There is currently no disruption to customer water supplies, it added.

A spokesperson said: "In the early hours of this morning we had a burst on a large water main on Keynsham Road in Willsbridge.

"Unfortunately, this led to the road becoming flooded along with a small number of properties and cars.

“We are very sorry to customers who have been impacted by this burst and we are doing all we can to support them."

First Bus has diverted its bus route 17 until further notice and delays were being reported in the area.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews from Hicks Gate, Bath, Chew Magna, Nailsea, Portishead, Bedminster and Kingswood were called at 04:58 to reports of large flooding on Keynsham Road, Willsbridge due to a burst water main.

"Firefighters entered the water in rafts to check affected properties and to ensure the safety of residents. Work was done to pump away water and our drone was used for surveillance.

"There were fortunately no casualties."