Updated: York schools forced to close after water supply cut off

Water supply issues have forced six York schools to close today (Thursday, 8 December).

A large area of the city was left without water this morning, including areas of Huntington and Haxby.

But by 9.30am, Yorkshire Water said supplies would start to return.

These schools are closed today:

• Headlands Primary School
• Huntington Primary School
• Lakeside Primary School
• Ralph Butterfield Primary School (partial closure – please check with school)
• Robert Wilkinson Primary School
• Wigginton Primary School.

Yorkshire Water said the problems are centred on the YO32 postcode, although residents say YO30 is affected too.

Residents reported water issues at Sainsbury’s store in Monks Cross. Supplies were out too at Cliftongate Business Park.

Originally the company said: “Customers in the area maybe experiencing no water or low pressure – our technicians are investigating the issue and further updates will be posted as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.”

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson told YorkMix: “This is a burst water main on Wiggington Road.

“Our teams are on scene to isolate the main and start re-zoning the network to restore supplies as quickly as possible.”

At 9.30am, he told us: “Properties will be starting to come back on now. Obviously the repair will still need to be completed.”

At 11am, City of York Council said: “Yorkshire Water has confirmed that supplies are being restored and everyone’s water should be back on in the next hour.

“Some schools are affected by this and remain closed for the day.”

And this from Rawcliffe & Clifton Without councillor Darryl Smalley:

Water supply back in Rawcliffe (YO30 5WL) – and back across Clifton Moor and Clifton Without.

Understand that YW have isolated and are refining burst so expect to have supplies fully restored next 1-2hrs. There will be 2way lights for full repair on Wigginton Road @yorkpress

— Darryl Smalley (@DarrylJSmalley) December 8, 2022

This is the latest in a series of water main bursts in the Wigginton Road area.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson told YorkMix: “They’re not linked – this one is further along Wiggington Road heading out of York – but clearly we will be looking closely at our network in the area.

“Burst pipes can happen for a number of reasons – often it’s down to a change in pressure or temperature fluctuations that cause ground movement and cracks in the pipe.”