Collapsed road reopens over a year after pipe burst

A road that collapsed after a burst water pipe more than a year ago has reopened.

Part of Kidmore Road in Caversham Heights, Reading, gave way in January 2025.

Isobel Ballsdon, who represents the area on the borough council, said residents felt a mixture of "relief and anger" that the fix took so long.

Thames Water apologised to those affected but said health and safety, as well as ensuring the "long-term stability of the area", had been its priority.

"Our teams successfully drilled and grouted all areas of concern and the ground is now stable," a company spokesperson added.

For the past year, some residents have been unable to park in their own spaces, and bus stops were removed and relocated some distance away.

Ballsdon said the road reopening had been a huge relief for residents.

"For a few individual properties it's colossal because some residents weren't able to have access to their driveways," she said.

"For people with mobility issues it's been problematic, and they have been feeling isolated so having the buses back to the normal route is a huge positive."

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