Karen Young for Queen Edith's Ward

Burst water main Hills Road and Red Cross Lane junction

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by

Karen Young
in

Summary of Situation

A burst water main has occurred on the A1307 Hill Road at the junction with Red Cross Lane and Nightingale Avenue. The incident has resulted in a significant carriageway failure requiring emergency closure of the road to allow safe repair and reinstatement.

UPDATE 28 Aug:

They have now completed the investigations on the road surface and works to get the road open will commence tomorrow.

  • Friday 29th – We will be on site to remove the 52m2 of damaged road surface
  • Saturday 30th – We will be relaying the road surface with tarmac – this will then cure overnight into Sunday
  • Sunday 31st – Road markings will be replaced
  • Monday 1st – Road sweeper will attend to clean the road and surrounding areas
  • Road will be open by close of business on Monday 1st, but we are hoping for lunchtime on Monday

They will also have a separate team on site over the weekend to clean up the driveways along Fendon Road due to the silt from the burst travelling.

UPDATE 26 Aug: A substantial portion of the road needs repair and it is now estimated to take until Friday 29 August.

UPDATE 21 Aug 4.30pm: The water main is now repaired. The road is badly damaged and will need specialist contractors to fix it. Estimated completion for the road repair is middle of next week i.e. 27 August.

The sign indicating no right turn from Hills Road onto Nightingale Ave is taken down, and that prohibition will be temporarily lifted. There will be a new sign from tomorrow i.e. as soon as Cambridge Water can make it.

The bollards on Nightingale Avenue have been unlocked for emergency access use only. Someone from Cambridge Water will be there during the day to remove them for ambulances etc. At night they will be removed.

Key Details

 

      • The burst is now confirmed on a 200mm (8”) main which requires a section cutting out and inserting. A patch repair is not suitable in this case.

      • Initial reports suggested a 4” main, but this has since been clarified.

      • Due to firm ground conditions, damage has been contained locally and has mainly impacted the surrounding carriageway structure.

      • The whole carriageway surface has been compromised surrounding the burst and will require excavating out and reinstatement.

      • A Traffic Management (TM) Plan is in place (attached).

    • It is hoped the actual burst repair will be completed today; however, the carriageway repair/reinstatement will take longer due to the extent of damage. Currently this could take up to 5 days. Further updates on timescales will be confirmed in due course, and Cambridge Water are working hard to facilitate completion as soon as possible.

 

Operational Impacts

 

      • The local area is experiencing reduced water pressure, but Addenbrooke’s Hospital supply is not affected.

      • Approximately 80 properties on Red Cross Lane will have their water shut off when the repairs are carried out. Provisions are in place to supply bottled water if required, dependent on the amount of time needed.

      • Emergency service access is being maintained and Nightingale Avenue used as an emergency access route.

      • Special signage has been requested, though additional time is needed for production and installation.

    • Multiple other bursts are ongoing across the city; contractor resources are stretched but coping. This may, however, cause delays to less critical repairs.

 

Stakeholder Engagement

 

      • Cambridge Water are leading the repair, working in collaboration with CCC Street Works inspectors.

      • Street Works Inspector is monitoring on site and coordinating with Cambridge Water and Addenbrooke’s.

      • Engagement with the hospital is being followed up directly to ensure awareness of impacts.

      • Communication statements have been prepared and social media kept updated.

    • Emergency Planning Team aware and monitoring due to the potential direct/indirect impacts. At the moment matters are being managed without any escalation being required.

 

Next Steps

 

      1. Continued on-site monitoring by CCC Street Works team.

      1. Close liaison with Cambridge Water to expedite repairs and reinstatement.

      1. Ensure Emergency Planning, hospital, emergency services, and other key stakeholders remain informed.

    1. Provide further updates as the situation develops.

 

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