16:29 Tom Eden

What we know so far

Floodwater from a burst water main submerged Scotswood Road in Newcastle for the majority of Tuesday daytime. 

Torrents of water flooded the busy Newcastle road on Tuesday morning, leaving homes without water and causing shopping centres to be evacuated. 

Northumbrian Water say they have a “burst 30in water main on Scotswood Road in Newcastle which is causing either low pressure or no waters for customers.” 

Parts of Newcastle were without water from 10am due to the burstpipe near the B&Q roundabout on the A6085. 

Engineers were called to isolate the section of pipe so it could be repaired while JCBs were digging out a hole so a new section of two-metre long pipe could be installed. 

Speaking shortly after 3pm, Northumbrian Water network services area manager​,​Steve Thompson​,​ said: “The new section of pipe is here and ready to be fitted. 

“Once we’ve got that in we can focus on pumping the rest of the water away.” 

Northumbrian Water also issued a statement that said: “The flood water is beginning to disperse and we’re hoping to have the carriageway clear as soon as possible. 

“We may need to keep some of the road closed to allow for repairs to be carried out but we are working with Newcastle City Council, Highways England and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue and will do everything we can to minimise disruption to commuters and the local community. 

“We have our insurance and recovery teams down in the area to speak to local businesses and people affected by the flooding and ensure they are receiving all the support they need at this time.” 

Scotswood Road was shut between the roundabout for Scotswood Bridge and the junction for B&Qk, trapping some vehicles in the flood. 

A van driver has told of the moment torrents of water ‘came from nowhere’ and left him stranded on Scotswood Road. 

Assan Malik, from Lemington, had been travelling along the road from Team Valley, when the drama unfolded. 

He said: “On our way back, the floods came from nowhere. 

“I attempted to get past because it wasn’t that high but as I passed it, it came gushing from nowhere and the van has been flooded.  I’ve now got to wait for it to be recovered.” 

Shoppers and workers were evacuated from Eldon Square in Newcastle city centre due to low water pressure caused by the burst water main. 

Hundreds of people converged on Old Eldon Square following the evacuation after the tannoy systems inside the shopping centre announced: “Due to an incident, please evacuated the building.” 

At the time of the evacuation, the intu Eldon Square Twitter account said: “Due to loss of water in the centre, we are currently evacuating the whole of intu Eldon Square.  We’re sorry for any disruption caused and hope that we’ll be back to business as usual as soon as possible.” 

Workers and shoppers were able to return to the shopping centre after approximately 45 minutes.