Express & Star

Water supply is lost in Wolverhampton city centre

More than 5,000 homes, businesses and shops were left without water today after a water main burst.

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Residents and city centre shopkeepers were being told supplies would be down for up to six hours.

The pipe burst in Cleveland Street, Wolverhampton.

Engineers were today trying to fix the problem and Cleveland Street has been closed by Severn Trent while the work takes place.

They say a 10ins main burst at around 6am, sending water gushing up through a drain and on to the road.

Some businesses in the city centre, including cafes, were today unable to open as they have no cold or hot water. Cornish Bakehouse in Dudley Street is among the businesses affected.

Manager Mike Lenthall said: "We really can't open at all.

"It's the same for everyone else in the street. It's a really big inconvience."

Staff at Top Nosh cafe bought bottles of water so they can make cups of tea and coffee for customers.

Cafe owner Jagtar Singh said: "Severn Trent are doing their best. We had to go out and get emergency supplies of bottled water. We're open as normal until our supplies run out."

Severn Trent spokeswoman Sarah-Jayne O'Kane said a team of engineers was working to repair the water main. "We would like to apologise to our customers and thank them for their patience and understanding while we repair the burst," she said.

Severn Trent distribution service technician Darren Mann said: "There is a 10ins burst water main and we estimate 5,000 properties have been affected." He added: "We have a target of six hours to fix it."

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