Schools in Lostock Hall close and dozens of homes and businesses go without water due to burst pipe

Homes have been without water since 4.30am, with most of those affected in the PR1, PR4 and PR5 areas. Some homes are experiencing poor pressure and others reported having no water at all.

Most of the affected properties appear to be in Lostock Hall, where primary schools and high schools have been forced to close.

United Utilities say the lack of water is due to a burst pipe in Walton Green, where leakage engineers are now on site to carry out repairs.

It has not yet provided an estimated time for when supplies will resume, but mobile tankers are pumping water into the supply.

A United Utilities spokesman told the Post: “There has been a burst on a section of the water network in the Walton-le-Dale area.

"To help maintain supplies we are re-routing water through other parts of the pipe network. We are also using our water tankers to help maintain supplies whilst engineers repair the damaged section of pipe.

"During this time people may notice a reduction in water pressure and a little temporary discolouration to their water.

"This is not unusual after a burst, or when we move water around the network as this can stir up some naturally-occurring sediment in the pipes.

"Customers do not need to take any action and this will clear.

"We’re really sorry for any inconvenience and will have a presence in the area whilst we work on returning the water network to normal."

School closures

Both Lostock Hall Community Primary School and Lostock Hall Academy have confirmed they have closed due to having no water supply.

Our Lady and St Gerard's is also understood to have closed for the day, as well as Moor Hey School.

In a message to parents, Laura Duce, headteacher at Lostock Community Primary School, said there was "no other option" but to close.

She said: "I am afraid that we are going to have to close school today as we still have no water and there has been no updates from United Utilities.

"I know how frustrating this is as we have only just fully re-opened, however with no water we will not be able to uphold our tight cleaning routine.

"Children will be able to access remote learning today and staff are currently uploading tasks.

"I am hopeful that United Utilities will be able to fix the problem and school will re-open tomorrow as usual.

"I am sorry once again for this as I am disappointed that we have had to make this decision but there is no other option."

Lostock Hall Academy said: "You may already be aware that we have no water in the area and as a result we have no water in school.

"United Utilities are in the area but there is no indication of when this will be resolved.

"As a result, due to Health and Safety, and because we have no water for food preparation or toilet sanitation, we regrettably have to close the school premises today."

It said remote learning will take place.