‘Gushing’ Darlington burst main causes long traffic queues

Northumbrian Water crews are working to repair the burst main on the junction of Northgate and Corporation Road in Darlington this afternoon (May 13).

Three-way traffic lights have been installed to manage traffic, with delays expected, and the water board saying the will carry out repairs as quickly as possible.

A Northumbrian Water spokesperson said: “We have been made aware of a large burst on a water main on the junction of Northgate and Corporation Road in Darlington.

“Our teams are on site and working as quickly as they can in order to carry out repairs, and there is currently no disruption to customer supplies.”

Traffic building due to the flooding. (Image: DARLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL)

A video taken from the junction shows cars slowly driving through pools of water.

One eyewitness described the scene, saying they saw water “gushing” onto the road.

They said: “It was absolutely gushing – the force of it had lifted the pavement.”

Darlington Borough Council confirmed the water company is responding to the urgent leak.

A council spokesperson said: “Northumbrian Water is responding to an urgent leak on Northgate at the junction of Corporation Road – multi-way signals will be in place. Traffic delays are expected.”

Northumbrian Water has not yet confirmed how long the repairs are expected to take.