Warning of days of disruption from Worcester burst pipe

Severn Trent engineers have been working to fix the burst pipe and the road surface

People in Worcester are being warned of traffic disruption due to a burst pipe expected to last for several days.

The A38 Barbourne Road was closed at about 18:31 BST on Wednesday as water gushed across the highway.

The pressure of the water pushed up the surface of the road and damaged the full width of the route, Worcestershire Council said.

Barbourne Road and St George's Lane North remain closed and are unlikely to reopen for a few days, it added.

Severn Trent Water said repairs to the pipe itself had started.

However, Jon Fraser, from the council, said repairing other damage could be a "big job".

"Where the water forces up under pressure, it causes damage to the road and pavement above it, so all that will need to be made safe before we can get it back open," he added.

Drivers were warned to expect congestion in the area and if they were travelling into the city from the north, to avoid the A38.

The pipe burst below St George's Lane North, close to the Sainsbury's Local

The whole width of Barbourne Road was damaged by the burst, Worcestershire Council said

Bus company First Worcester said several of its services were being diverted and there were delays on its routes.

Pedestrians and cyclists could still get past the site, but they should avoid the area if possible, the council added.

Residents in the area told BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester their water supply came back on at about 21:00 BST on Wednesday.

Severn Trent Water said investigations were under way into the damage to the pipe and surrounding area, but it could take some time to repair.

"The network is quite complex in that area so it may take a little bit of time," Howard Perry, from the firm said.