Repair works to roads wrecked by a burst water pipe in Milngavie could take up to two weeks to be completed. The burst main left around 250,000 properties in Glasgow without water last night.
A Victorian-era pipe burst on Auchenhowie Road at around 4pm on January 24, causing severe flooding in the area. The incident knocked out water supplies across much of the city, meaning many hospitality businesses had to close their doors.
Scottish Water has confirmed that excavation work began today to repair the 36inch pipe, that was laid in 1859 as part of the original Katrine Aqueduct. The work could take up to 14 days to complete due to the extent of the damage.
Glasgow Road and parts of Auchenhowie Road remain closed with local diversions in place. Pictures from the scene today show huge chunks of the road dug up, with workers in high-vis jackets operating diggers as they continue the excavations.
Scottish Water said: "Due to the extent of the damage caused, it is expected that following the completions of the repair, we estimated 10-14 days for the full reinstatement and removal of traffic management and local diversions.
"However, as our reinstatement progresses, we hope to be in a position to scale back on diversion routes. We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption that this is causing for our customers.
"Now that water supplies are restored, some customers may experience some discoloured water supply. If your water is brown discoloured, please be assured that this is the natural lying sediment within the mains that has been disturbed and we advise to allow your cold-water kitchen tap to run at reduced pressure until this runs clear.
"Whilst doing so, please do not run any other taps or water appliances until this is clear from your cold water kitchen tap. Please follow this process for any other taps affected. If you experience white water, this is air in the water supply following the interruption and this will settle within 24/48hrs."
Properties were connected back to the water supply by 10pm on Tuesday night with areas areas impacted including the city centre, Tradeston, Ibrox, and much of the west end, including Kelvinside, Knightswood, Yoker, Scotstoun and Partick.
Emergency services including Scottish Fire and Rescue and police teams were at the scene with several roads closed down. Dramatic footage from the scene showed chunks of tarmac ripped up from the impact of the water while a river of gushing floodwater flowed down the street.
Local nursery Lullaby Lane had to be evacuated in the chaos, with kids and staff taken in by neighbours Rangers FC at their Auchenhowie training complex.
Dozens of pubs and restaurants lost out on a night's trading, while gigs were also cancelled due to the incident.
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