New ‘River’ Created In London Streets After Water Main Bursts

The River Thames has new competition in the shape of a burst water main that flooded in Kennington, south London.

Water levels rose to half a metre on Kennington Road and commuters hoping for a nice walk in the sunshine to work had to WADE through the streets instead.

And it wasn’t just walkers who faced a nightmare journey - bus routes were severely delayed as the water levels caused chaos on the roads.

Several homes in the area were flooded and many were left without any water at all as temperatures rose at the start of this week’s heatwave.

An astonishing 10 fire engines and 72 firefighters from multiple London districts were needed to deal with the flood, that saw sandbags put up in front of shops and homes while water was pumped from properties.

Transport for London described the flood as “a new river”.

Residents who emerged from their houses yesterday morning couldn’t believe what they were seeing, with many tweeting pics of their journey into work.

Alongside a picture of the flooded street, George Maudsley tweeted: “Not what I expect on my way in to work! Poor Kennington.”

Ian Wingrove added: “Fancy a swim?”

The water was finally dealt with in the afternoon but disruption lasted all day.

Thames Water said: “We apologise to customers in the SE and SW areas who may have no water or low pressure.

“This is due to a burst on one of our larger water mains in Kennington Park Road, SE11.

"We’re working as fast as we can to stop the flooding.

"Kennington Park Road is currently closed in both directions between Kennington Oval and Kennington Station, diversions are in place.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.”

The water is now back on - just in time for the 30 degrees temperatures expected over the next few days.