Rain delays island sewer burst repairs

Tankers have been collecting wastewater from the burst sewer along Appley Road

Work to fix a burst sewer on the Isle of Wight has been delayed due to the wet weather.

Southern Water had been expected to start repairs at the site off Appley Road, Ryde, on Wednesday night.

But the water firm said its plans have been put on hold as "the nature of the work requires dryer conditions for the repair to be carried out safely".

Tankers are collecting the wastewater from the burst sewer along Appley Road and shuttling it to Sandown treatment works.

Appley Car Park has been closed to house storage tanks ahead of the pumping station's shutdown

Southern Water said what caused the sewer, that normally takes wastewater from Ryde to Sandown, to rupture is not yet known.

In preparation for the repair, which will see Appley Transfer Station at Ryde shut down, Appley Car Park has been closed to house 28 storage tanks.

While the repairs are under way, 20 tankers will be used to take waste to the holding tanks.

The water firm said it would provide further information on when the work will go ahead in the coming days.