Portsmouth Road Turned into River After Massive Water Main Burst
A 20-inch water main exploded just after midnight, flooding London Road in Portsmouth and forcing a major road closure. The pipe gushed water like a man-made river, turning the street near Stubbington Avenue and Gladys Avenue into a muddy mess by early Thursday morning.
Emergency Response After Overnight Flood
Police and Portsmouth Council crews rushed to the scene after a local woman called, mistaking the flood for heavy rain. Portsmouth Water quickly shut off the supply but not before significant flooding damaged the tarmac and footpaths on both sides of the road.
Clean-Up and Roadworks Underway
Workers have brought in massive grab lorries to clear mud, silt, and debris while emergency repairs get underway. The floodwater, confirmed free of sewage, has drained into local storm drains. A hard closure is in place, blocking all traffic including buses, with no estimate on reopening yet.
Traffic Chaos and Future Plans
Drivers are warned to expect delays and plan alternative routes. Portsmouth City Council hopes to install temporary traffic lights for single-lane access by the weekend. Meanwhile, water supplies to nearby homes remain unaffected as engineers isolate the damaged pipe section.
