Breach in the making?

IT WAS our contributor Mick Fitzgibbons who heard the sound of rushing water adjacent to the towpath near Stewponey on the Staffs & Worcs Canal.

He discovered it came from a water main laid by the side of the towpath that had burst with water gushing out of the canal embankment, telling us:

Rushing water

"I'm on the Staffs & Worcs near Stewponey. Whilst walking the dogs this morning on the towpath I became aware of the sound of rushing water and a deep roaring sound—where there shouldn't be one!

"On investigation it seems there is a four foot water main running adjacent to the towpath, which has burst. The roaring sound was deep underground but there was a substantial gush of water coming out further down the embankment, which has flooded some woodland."

He immediately reported the matter to both the water company and Cart, having concerns that, with the water being so close to the canal, a big burst could take out the towpath and lead to a breach.