Burst pipe that flooded part of Kingston repair to take more than a week

Repair work on a large pipe that burst in Kingston yesterday is expected to take just over a week. The burst pipe on Kingston Hill flooded the surrounding area yesterday morning, causing road closures and restricting access to Kingston Hospital. Around 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines responded to the scene alongside the police.

Yesterday Thames Water engineers stopped the flow of water from the burst pipe to allow it to subside. Thames Water explained that it is too early to say whether the pipe burst because of the hot weather. Pictures show the aftermath of the flood, with severe damage to the road including cracks and a small sink hole.

Pictures show the aftermath of the flood, with severe damage to the road / Images: Helen Hinton Thames Water is currently working to repair the pipe, which expected to be fixed by July 27. A road diversion has been put in place by Kingston Council with Kingston Hill and the junctions Galsworthy Road and George Road remaining closed.

This is roughly a 400 meter road closure while repairs take place. The pipe which burst is 30 inches in diameter and is described by Thames Water as a truck main, which main transports large quantities of water across our network such as from our reservoirs or from water treatment works to be stored. This does not directly supply people’s homes and so water access should be as normal.

This is not a sewage pipe as some witnesses have previously claimed.

A spokesperson for Thames Water said: “We’re sorry for any disruption this has caused for customers, particularly during the heatwave and we’re doing all we can to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.”

We have approached Kingston Council for further information.