At least 15 schools in Witney, Oxfordshire, have shut down today following a burst pipe near a local reservoir that has impacted water supply to numerous buildings. The burst occurred near Swinford Toll Bridge off Oxford Road, affecting a critical water mains that connects fresh water to a significant area in West Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. Despite partial replacement of the damaged pipe on Thursday night, a substantial number of Thames Water customers are still facing water shortages.
Emergency closures have been enforced in the area due to the water supply disruption. Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed the closure of 13 schools, with two additional primary schools also shutting their doors. The closures are anticipated to last approximately three days, with plans to resume normal operations on Monday, March 9, although this timeline is subject to change.
The affected schools include Leafield Primary School among others, all of which have closed due to the water supply issues. For the latest updates, readers can subscribe for email notifications on major stories of the day.