Milford Flooded By Burst Water Main

Yesterday, Tuesday 15th January 2019, Milford was flooded by a burst water main.

The pipe was breached at approximately 11:20am and immediately shot large quantities of water into the air, (as shown in the BBC video). The water then gushed down field onto the A6, Makeney Road, and surrounding properties.

Derbyshire Constabulary report that they believe that the flood was caused by a farmer puncturing a pipe, and Severn Trent Water confirm that it was a “third party” who caused the damage (not someone working for STW).

Eight homes had to be evacuated and more were flooded at a less dangerous level. Video shared online by residents shows water levels above the tires of vehicles on the A6. At least two businesses were seriously damaged by the flood.

By 4pm Severn Trent Water had isolated the specific pipe and turned off the water supply, but this came after four hours of serious flooding for Milford, and took time for the water expelled from the pipe to decrease and cease.  No other water supply was affected.

The A6 was closed, from the Wirksworth Road junction in Duffield up to the Morrisons roundabout in Belper, for the remainder of Tuesday, and overnight into Wednesday, until the water and damage was cleared, and the road was safe again. Traffic was diverted via Cowers Lane and Ashbourne Road. One lane has remained closed today (Wednesday), with temporary traffic lights controlling traffic from both directions through the lane.  This has affected bus services, as well as private transport and commercial vehicles.  Some connecting roads were also closed.

Derbyshire County Council tweeted that the road was partially open and said, “There may be some delays to your journey so take a bit of extra time. We’ve swept the other roads affected. Again apologies for the inconvenience but it was a huge amount of water.”

East Midlands Ambulance Service were on site with a Hazardous Response Team (HART), and set up a shelter at The Weston Centre in Duffield to care for those evacuated and otherwise affected by the flood.

Severn Trent Water will be visiting local residents and businesses to see how they can help. Police carried out welfare checks on residents yesterday.

Emergency response was co-ordinated between Derbyshire Constabulary, HART, Emergency Planning teams, and Severn Trent Water.

Residents concerned about their property should contact the police by phoning 101.

If you would like to talk to us about how the flood has affected you, please email editor@nailed.community

BBC video from East Midlands News, lunchtime, Wednesday 16th January 2019 (Nailed is a Local News Partner of the BBC and is licenced to use BBC video)