Torrent of water causes devastation in Ilkley after pipe bursts

The water main behind the Craiglands Hotel in the town burst around noon last Thursday, causing immediate disruption in the surrounding roads and properties.

One eyewitness said that the flow of water was so large it looked like it was “emptying a reservoir”.

It emerged later that the damage was caused during a routine exercise by Yorkshire Water and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service on Ilkley Moor.

A team from Yorkshire Water was on site on Friday supporting those impacted by the burst pipe.

Looking from above the cattle grid towards the corner and the burst main (Image: Mike Dixon)

Prof Mike Dixon of Tarn Villas in Ilkley described the dramatic moment the water pipe burst, shown in his pictures of the incident.

He said the burst sent a torrent of water down Craiglands Road and into the hotel grounds above the houses in Craiglands Park.

Prof Dixon said: “In the process the flow of water demolished a retaining wall and sent debris into properties in Craiglands Park and onto the hotel drive.

“Water flowed across Cowpasture Road to cover both sides, that on the far side went down Richmond Place leaving that flowing on the near side to pass under parked cars on its way towards Station Road.

“Debris comprising hard core, gravel and fragments of tarmac can be found along the full length of the road and leaf litter and mud extends as far as the Town Hall.

"I am told that motorists driving along Bolling Road were aware of a wave of water flowing across from Wheatley Road.

“The torrent of water undermined, broke up and detached the tarmac layer in the lane (Craiglands Road) and carried it downwards onto Cowpasture Road where it was further broken up by road traffic.

“Likewise gravel and hard core were swept out of the lane, across Cowpasture Road, into the entrances of Ilkley Grammar School and down Richmond Place.”

Looking up the lane from Cowpasture Road (Image: Mike Dixon)

Prof Dixon said he first became aware of the burst when he heard an “unusual sound” around 12.15pm and saw from the window of his home the water surging down the street.

Pulling on a pair of wellies he attempted to find the source of the flood, and added: "I had to cross the main flow of water and I almost lost balance such was its force. Nearing the top of the lane I could see that the water was surging out of a large hole in the lane about a metre in diameter.”

After asking his wife to alert the emergency services, Prof Dixon went back to investigate and met with two fire officers who told him that they had been taking part in an exercise near the Cow and Calf rocks.

Prof Dixon said he was later told that the burst had occurred in the main pipe linking the Panama and Reva reservoirs.

He added: “Certainly the initial flow of water suggested it was emptying a reservoir! While the torrent coming from the pipe abated somewhat, water continues to pour down the lane both from the burst mains and subsequent to blockage of the drain from the cattle-grid as of Sunday evening.”

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water said: "Yorkshire Water and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue were carrying out a routine exercise in Ilkley on Thursday, August 31. Unfortunately, during the exercise an 18" water pipe burst. Due to the size of the pipe, it did cause some localised flooding and damage to the road. We're supporting those impacted and our teams will get everything back to normal as soon as possible."

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service added: "Along with our colleagues at Yorkshire Water, the crew from the local fire station was also involved in helping to manage the impact caused by the burst pipe."