Swindon flooding: Burst main forces road closure for 'at least a week'

There was mud all along the County Road after the main burst, rupturing the surface in the early hours of Sunday

Residents have been told a burst water main that caused extensive damage to a pub and a main road could take weeks to fix.

The length of the A4259 County Road in Swindon has been shut, from Transfer Bridges to the Magic Roundabout.

The burst main flooded the road near the County Ground Hotel, with the water reaching depths of around 1ft (30.5cm) in places.

The road is expected to be closed for at least a week, a council said.

Swindon Borough Council said Thames Water had taken the lead on repair work to the burst pipe.

Several properties were flooded as a result of the water main burst on County Road

The council said the water firm was able to shut down the main and divert supplies to another mains pipe in the area, to ensure local residents and businesses continued receive supplies.

However Paul Rocker, the landlord of the County Hotel pub, said he was shocked on discovering floodwater inside the pub.

"When I got here, the water level was going down because they'd stopped the burst water main," he said.

"Then the fire brigade came in and started pumping the water out and stacked all my furniture for me.

"It was all a bit of a shock."

Water came into the pub leaving the floors soaking wet

The damaged pipe is 9.8ft (3m) below the road surface so "extensive excavations are required," a council spokesperson said.

As the pipe was deeper than they thought, bigger digging equipment had to be sourced to reach the main and secure the hole around it.

This work is expected to begin at around 18.00 BST.

Crews were on scene until around 08:00 BST on Sunday

The road will remain closed while repairs are made to the pipe, concrete road base, tarmac and kerbs.

A signed diversion route is in place, with motorists advised to allow extra time for their journeys.