A major pipe failure beneath Shettleston Road on Thursday morning sent water flooding across one of Glasgow’s busiest East End routes and cut supply to hundreds of homes across the G32 area.
The burst happened near the St Mark Street junction around 6:30 AM on May 29, forcing Scottish Water crews into emergency repairs and leaving residents across Shettleston, Parkhead and Tollcross without running water.
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Road Closed as Water Gushes Onto Street
Water surged onto the road surface within minutes of the pipe rupturing, flooding pavements and forcing Glasgow City Council to shut down sections of Shettleston Road in both directions. The closures hit during morning rush hour, creating immediate gridlock across the East End.
Council traffic managers closed the road between Old Shettleston Road and Fernan Street, with a second westbound closure between Westmuir Street and Hart Street. First Bus diverted multiple services, rerouting the 2, 46, 60, 60A and 43 through surrounding streets as water continued to pool across the carriageway.
“We are aware that there is a burst water main on Shettleston Road. Scottish Water is in attendance,” Shettleston Housing Association posted on social media as reports came in from residents.
Hundreds Wake to Dry Taps
The pipe supplies water to thousands of properties across the G32 postcode. Residents reported complete loss of supply or severely reduced pressure. Others found discolored water coming from their taps as the system depressurized.
Local businesses couldn’t open. Cafรฉs had no water to make coffee. Salons canceled morning appointments. Small shops faced difficult decisions about whether to stay open without basic facilities.
The timing compounded the disruption. Parents preparing children for school found themselves without water for breakfast or washing. Commuters already delayed by road closures faced additional stress from supply interruptions at home.
Scottish Water Deploys Emergency Crews
Scottish Water confirmed its response teams arrived on site within the hour. “Our teams are now on-site to assess the required repair and carry out works to isolate the burst as quickly as possible to minimize the impact of flooding in the area,” a spokesperson said.
The repair work required shutting off supply valves to stop water flowing to the damaged section. Crews then began pumping out the pooled water before excavating the road to reach the broken pipe underneath.
The company warned residents to expect ongoing disruption throughout Thursday. “You may experience no water supply or low/intermittent water pressure. You may also experience discolored water,” the utility said in its official statement.
Scottish Water directed anyone experiencing brown or cloudy water to run their cold kitchen tap at reduced pressure until it cleared, while avoiding using other taps or appliances. White water, caused by air in the pipes, would clear naturally within 24 to 48 hours once repairs were complete.
Aging Victorian Pipes Under Daily Stress
Water mains burst when decades of stress finally exceed what the pipe can withstand. Much of Glasgow’s water infrastructure dates to the Victorian era, with cast iron pipes that corrode gradually over time.
Shettleston Road carries heavy traffic every day. Buses, delivery trucks and constant vehicle movement create vibration that travels through the road surface to the pipes buried beneath. Temperature shifts cause the metal to expand and contract. Ground movement adds further strain.
These factors compound over years until the weakest point in the pipe gives way. Thursday’s burst happened at a junction, where pipes change direction and stress concentrates.
Scottish Water runs an infrastructure replacement program targeting around 100 kilometers of aging mains each year. But with thousands of kilometers of pipe beneath Glasgow’s streets, bursts remain a regular occurrence across the city.
Diversions Add Hour to Commutes
The road closures forced drivers onto already busy alternative routes. Traffic backed up along Old Shettleston Road, Tollcross Road and surrounding streets as commuters searched for ways through.
Bus passengers faced delays and confusion. First Bus Glasgow rerouted affected services:
Eastbound diversions: Left onto Old Shettleston Road, right at Fernan Street, then back to normal route
Westbound diversions: Via Westmuir Street, left onto Nisbet Street, left onto East Wellington Street, right onto Duke Street
The company posted updates on its website but many passengers only discovered the changes when their bus failed to appear at usual stops.
Journey times doubled for some commuters. People arrived late to work. Parents struggled to get children to school on time. The knock-on effects rippled across the East End throughout the morning.
What Happens Next
Scottish Water did not give a specific completion time for repairs. The work depends on the extent of damage to the pipe and how quickly crews can excavate, replace the broken section and test the system before restoring supply.
Similar bursts typically take 12 to 48 hours to fix completely, including road repairs and pressure testing. The company operates a 24-hour helpline on 0800 0778 778 for residents needing updates or assistance.
Vulnerable residents, including elderly people and those with medical needs, can access priority support through Scottish Water’s customer service program.
Road closures were expected to stay in place through Thursday and potentially into Friday morning while crews finished excavation work and resurfaced the damaged sections of carriageway.
For the hundreds of households affected, the immediate concern was straightforward: when the water would flow again and when the roads would reopen. Scottish Water crews worked through Thursday to get both back to normal as quickly as the repair work allowed.
