Road over canal bridge in Penkridge closed after fears of subsidence
A road in Penkridge has been closed at a landmark pub after suspected subsidence at a nearby house following a burst pipe.
Firefighters, police and officers from the Canal & River Trust went to the scene at The Boat Inn, Cannock Road at around 5.30pm on Wednesday after it was initially thought the bridge over the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal had collapsed due to subsidence.
The Cannock Road between Greenways and Haling Road has been closed while investigation work is carried out.
Regulars at The Boat Inn were not evacuated but staff member James Payne said it was quite dramatic.
He said: "I had just come on shift when the fire crews, police and others came in literally next to the pub and blocked the road off, a lot of people thought the bridge had collapsed but it turns out there was a burst pipe at a nearby house and a danger of subsidence into the canal.
"They shut the bridge off for safety reasons and I believe they are doing investigation work, but although the road to the pub is closed off both ways we have had a lot of people coming in to find out what is going on."
Last month a burst water main caused a bridge closure in nearby Brewood, on the day the village was set to turn on its Christmas lights.
The Canal & River Trust has been contacted for comment.
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