Approximately 9,000 properties in parts of West Sussex are facing water supply disruptions after a significant pipe burst caused extensive flooding in Crawley on Sunday morning. Southern Water confirmed that emergency teams are on-site working to repair the break and restore services as quickly as possible.
Sussex Police described the incident as a “significant” leak and urged the public to avoid the area while emergency crews manage the situation. Several major routes, including Southgate Avenue, Crawley Avenue, and sections of the A23 around the Southgate Roundabout, were closed to traffic due to standing water.
The disruption has affected multiple neighborhoods, with residents in Woolborough Road, Holmcroft, Southgate, Tilgate, and Furnace Green reporting a loss of supply or low pressure. In response, the utility company has established bottled water distribution points for those impacted.
Local businesses have also felt the strain, with the County Mall shopping centre temporarily closing due to the water outages. Martin Lawrence, a delivery driver who encountered the scene early in the morning, told BBC Radio Sussex that the volume of water rushing across the road and into an underpass was unprecedented.
Residents have expressed frustration over the inconvenience. John Boulton, 82, said he and his partner have been without water since the early hours. Describing the situation as “pretty disgusting,” Boulton noted that he had to spend £22 on bottled water, criticizing the cost relative to the service provided.
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