Water main bursts in Islington leaving homes without supply and road flooded

On Tuesday afternoon, a major water main burst beneath Caledonian Road in Islington, flooding the street and leaving nearby homes without water while engineers began urgent repair work.

Around 40 firefighters were called to the scene after a 30-inch underground pipe split, sending water across the carriageway and forcing part of the road to close. Thames Water said the damaged section had been isolated to prevent further flooding.

The immediate priority has been restoring supply to affected properties and ensuring the stability of the ground around the rupture. Repair work continued overnight, though Thames Water later confirmed progress had paused while safety checks were carried out.

Engineers said they had discovered a significant underground void beneath the road, raising concerns about structural stability and the risk of further collapse. The section of Caledonian Road remains closed while specialist teams assess the extent of the damage.

Water mains of this size form part of London’s core distribution network, supplying thousands of homes and businesses. Failures can disrupt transport and utilities simultaneously, particularly in dense inner-London areas such as Islington where infrastructure is older and heavily used.

Thames Water apologised for the disruption and said crews would resume repairs once safety assessments were complete. Customers can monitor updates and service information through Thames Water, which said it understood how disruptive the incident had been and thanked residents for their patience while repairs continued.

For verified updates on London transport, infrastructure and borough-level disruptions, follow EyeOnLondon and subscribe to stay informed.

Follow us on:

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!

We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!