Heavy traffic expected in Portchester after water pipe bursts

Lunchtime commuters were faced with frustrating delays of about 30 minutes yesterday in Portchester.

This follows the rupturing of the pipe that connects Paulsgrove wastewater pumping station with the main sewer network on Sunday afternoon.

Southern Water has since intervened, and roadworks are now in place on the A27 eastbound, on the junction of Southampton Road and Sedgfield Close.

Temporary traffic lights have also been installed on Southampton Road. The temporary measures will be in place on the A27 until November 3.

With operations now underway to repair the pipe, Southern Water is using tankers to transport the wastewater away from the burst pipe for treatment.

The traffic lights on the Sedgfield Close junction of the A27 have been put in place so that the tankers can be refilled safely.

No excavation work is being carried out on the carriageway.

A spokeswoman for Southern Water said: ‘We’re working as quickly as we can to repair the pipe and are sorry for any hold-ups.’