Mayhem as burst blocks road

Tailbacks stretched down a major commuter route in Stourbridge after a burst water main prompted emergency repair work at a busy junction during a morning of chaos on Midlands roads.

A three-way temporary traffic system was in place in Stourbridge this morning after a water main burst which caused delays for motorists along Hagley Road.

Severn Trent Water was called to carrying out emergency repairs at the Brook Road junction with Red Hill, after it was considered to be an emergency.

The water main supplies a large area of homes and was spotted by Dudley Council's highways workers yesterday spurting out into the road.

Commuters were stuck in traffic for around 20 miniutes longer than usual and some were late for work.

Severn Trent spokeswoman Ben Smallman said it was a 12 inch pipe and not a big burst.

Meanwhile, West Midlands motorway drivers endured hours of delays today after a crash completely closed Birmingham's busy Aston Expressway, causing long queues on the M6.

The Expressway was closed in both directions following the two-car collision at around 7.25am, which also meant junction 6 of the adjoining M6 had to be closed, causing jams on the motorway in both directions.

The motorway reopened at 12.20 this afternoon.