Stranded bus brings traffic chaos to town

A bus was stuck on The Ropewalk, Southwell, for more than three hours on Tuesday after its front wheel became stuck in a hole.

The bus, running on the Newark to Southwell service, was trying to get around a parked car when its right front wheel became lodged in the cavity.

Those on the bus lived nearby and were able to get off and walk home.

The incident caused long tailbacks in Southwell until the bus could be recovered.

The hole appeared after the road was flooded by a burst pipe and the incident raised concerns about the street’s drainage.

Mrs Anne Wood reported the burst pipe at 11.30am because she was concerned that the water was running into Apple Tree Close, where she lives.

She said: “The burst water pipe throws open a wider problem, which residents have been trying to do something about for years — the drainage system.”

Mrs Wood claimed at least one drainage gulley on The Ropewalk was blocked and others were not syphoning water away efficiently.

She said: “If there were sufficient drainage then the excess water would not be flowing into Apple Tree Close.

“Had the burst water pipe coincided with a torrential down pour, then mine or some of my neighbours’ houses would have undoubtedly been flooded.”

Mrs Shirley Hutchinson (72) of The Ropewalk,said gallons of water had run along the road.

She said: “They should have some emergency methods in place to stop this happening.”

At a Southwell Town Council planning meeting, Mr Andy Gregory, said: “The road and drainage is obviously failing on The Ropewalk and it has been failing for the last few years.

“It’s going to cost millions to sort out the roads in Southwell.”

A Severn Trent Water spokesman said they received a report of the burst pipe at 11.37am and a team was scheduled to attend at 2.30pm.

He said: “This is a typical response time for this sort of incident. However, we do apologise for any disruption caused.”

The burst water pipe is one of the main lines that feeds the surrounding houses in the area.

Water supplies were temporarily affected while repairs were carried out.