UPDATE: 4.37pm

BUSINESS owners across the city centre voiced their anger today at the fall in trade due to a burst water main.

The water main on Skinner Street outside Carousel Leisure Centre burst at around 2am this morning and businesses on Skinner Street, Upper Dock Street, Bridge Street, and Cambrian Road had their water shut off from early morning to 12.30pm.

Road closures were put in place at High Street, Skinner Street, Stow Hill, Corn Street, Upper Dock Street and, Commercial Street today.

Nigel Merrett, owner of Arnolds Electrical, said: “The water was about an inch high and was very muddy. It went right through the shop into the back.

“We’ve experienced flooding before so we have taken some precautions with the stock but we have lost a bit of stock today. It’s taken us the whole morning to clean the floors.”

He added: “Usually the water comes down Stow Hill but this is different because it was from the mains. It is annoying as they could have put a couple of sandbags up to stop things.

“Nobody wants to help you clear up. The boys have been cleaning since we got in about 8.30am this morning. “

Abdul Gahfoor, manager of the Convenience Store, on Upper Dock Street, which was situated next door to the burst water main, said it has caused problems for all the shops on the street.

He said: “I’ve got water as I must be on a different main but the rest of the street has no water. There have been less people in this area this morning.”

Dylan's Coffee shop and restaurant on Upper Dock Street had bought bottled water to serve tea to their customers.

Mark Smith, manager of Space, a hairdresser’s on Upper Dock Street, said: “We’ve had people cancel appointments today because of the disruption. We did six haircuts and blow-dries this morning but we had to use a water spray.”

John Kerr, owner of Strawberry Water Junk Co, on Upper Dock Street, said: “It hasn’t affected us as much as the cafe but we’ve had no water for the toilet. It has affected trade – nobody wants to come down here. People have turned away from the city centre.”

David Child, of St Julians, said due to the disruption of the road there was not any disabled parking on Upper Dock Street.

He said: “It has turned people away. Usually we get a spot. I went to the disabled car park underneath the bridge and that was full. I considered going home.”

The Wetherspoons and Breeze pubs on Cambrian Road and Lloyd’s bar on Bridge Street were closed and reopened after lunch.

Taste Buds, a baguette shop, on Upper Dock Street and Arnolds Electrical on Skinner Street experienced flooding due to the burst main.

A spokesperson for Welsh Water said that diversions are well signposted and that workers would be operating throughout the night to try and open the roads as early as possible tomorrow.

The spokesperson added: “We can confirm that a burst water main impacted on water supplies to properties and businesses in Commercial Street and Skinner Street in Newport this morning. We were made aware in the early hours and immediately sent a team to site to deal with the situation.

“Our team repaired the burst and water supplies were returned to normal by early afternoon. If anyone still has any issues with their water, we would ask they call our operational helpline on 0800 052 0130.

“While the repair has been completed, the road now needs to be reinstated and our team will be working through the night to complete this. To ensure this work is carried out safely and quickly, road closures will be in place on High Street, Skinner Street, Stow Hill, Corn Street, Upper Dock Street and Commercial Street (from the Charles Street junction to Skinner Street). We anticipate that these repairs will be complete by the morning. In the meantime, diversions will be clearly signposted.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank our customers for their patience whilst these repairs are carried out.”

A spokesperson for the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said they had received no flood calls in the area and that people had dealt with the disruption themselves.

If anyone still has issues with flooding, they can call Welsh Water’s operational helpline on 0800 052 0130.

UPDATE: 1.25pm

Water has been turned back on at the Riverfront Theatre.

UPDATE: 10.15am

Businesses on the river side of Commercial Street have no water this morning as a result of the water main bursting. Water is off at the Riverfront Theatre.

UPDATE: 8.08am

Skinner Street in Newport is closed near the A4042 Kingsway junction, because of a burst water main and flooding this morning.

The closure is also affecting Stow Hill inbound between Havelock Street and School Lane and Corn Street at Skinner Street.

Newport Bus say all services using Skinner Street have been diverted.