Severn Trent Shaw Street burst water main leak anger

Water continues to bubble out of the burst water main at the junction of Shaw Street, Foregate Street and Sansome Street, closing one of the busiest arterial routes in Worcester.

The leak has caused disruption for businesses nearby who say they have lost customers and taxi drivers and bus companies losing trade by being stuck in the traffic caused by the road closures.

LEAK: The burst water main leak at the junction of Shaw Street, Sansome Street and The Foregate and Foregate Street which is now fenced off (Image: Newsquest)

Adam Law, who owns Coffee Nook with brother James, said the water leak was affecting their fledgling business 'big time'.

LEAK: The view looking from Foregate Street towards The Foregate with Shaw Street on the right and Sansome Street to the left (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

"Having been told about the Seven Trent work that was going to be carried out on Friday, ahead of Sunday, we were dreading this time after previously having the road closed by the council upon two consecutive weekends when they were resurfacing.

"Being a new business, only 5 months old, it has really affected our trade. Many customers are choosing to not be in town, or sometimes able to walk to our coffee shop due to excessive water on the surfaces.

CLOSED: The road closure as seen from The Cross looking towards The Foregate with St Nicholas Street on the right - there were a number of people at the site in high vis jackets (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

"I would say our trade is down about 65 per cent from an average day. We have bills and staff wages to pay and when there is very little trade, this is worrying, especially whilst in our building of the business stage."

Carmen Prodan, a supervisor at Coffee Warehouse in The Foregate, said: "It has been bad. There's no customers. Sometimes we have more staff than customers. First thing in the morning we always have a truck parked right outside and we are masked by that truck."

DISRUPTION: Carmen Prodan, a supervisor at Coffee Warehouse, has spoken of the impact on trade and large vehicles obscuring the business since the water leak was reported (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

She estimates trade is 50 per cent down as a result of the water leak.

A spokesperson for Poppins at The Foregate said: "It's really been affecting us. Yesterday (Monday), I would say trade was down by half. I also don't see anyone working on the leak.

Foregate Street & Shaw Street remains closed for @stwater repairs. Severn Trent are expected to be carrying out repairs throughout this evening & Wednesday. We continue to be in close communication with Severn Trent to ensure that work is undertaken as quickly as possible.

— Worcs County Council Highways & Travel (@WorcsTravel) May 14, 2024

"It is affecting business quite badly in the area - and I don't see anyone doing anything about it. All we had was a letter saying it's going to be closed for one day. I assume they hit something and that caused the leak.

RECOMMENDED READING: Severn Trent: Shaw Street closed after burst water main

RECOMMENDED READING: Woober taxi driver helped residents during Powick field fire

"I just hope they hurry up and deal with it. Yesterday (Monday) was the worst day we have ever had, certainly the worst since Covid and the only explanation is the leak."

Paul Baldwyn, head of Streetworks at Severn Trent, apologised for any disruption but found the issue was more complex than they initially thought.

"In order not to affect customer supplies, we have been moving water around our network to keep taps flowing.

“We plan to complete repairs overnight to minimise the impact, with a reinstatement of the road taking place from tomorrow and the closure lifted on Thursday.

“We understand how disruptive this kind of emergency repair work can be, which is why we have been working closely with Worcestershire County Council to ensure we complete these repairs as quickly as possible and get everything back to normal as soon as we can."