logo
Oxford streets flooded after burst water pipe

Oxford streets flooded after burst water pipe

BBC News21 hours ago

Some streets in Oxford city centre have been left partially submerged after a water pipe burst.Thames Water confirmed that one of its pipes in Abbey Road, to the east of the city's centre, had left some homes without water.It said its teams were currently working to locate the section of damaged pipe affected so it could be fixed. The water company said while it worked to resolve the leak, it was adding water back into pipes using tankers so as many homes as possible could access running water.
"We know how disruptive it is if you lose your water supply, so we'll work hard to get things back to normal as soon as we can," the water company added.Abbey Road lies just off the busy Botley Road, part of which has been closed since April 2023 as part of a major project to upgrade Oxford railway station.
You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Thunder fever' warning to 7.2million Brits this weekend as amber warning issued
‘Thunder fever' warning to 7.2million Brits this weekend as amber warning issued

The Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Sun

‘Thunder fever' warning to 7.2million Brits this weekend as amber warning issued

THUNDERSTORMS due to hit the UK today could prove a nightmare for millions of Brits with asthma. Experts are warning that storms and rising pollen levels could trigger the potentially lethal phemomenon known as "thunder fever". 1 Also known as a 'pollen bomb', the effect has in the past seen the number of people hospitalised with severe asthma attacks soar. The connection between thunderstorms and a rapid rise in severe allergy responses is by now well-established. Scientists believe that during a thunderstorm, grains of pollen - the fine powder released by plants - absorb moisture and split into smaller fragments. While larger grains of pollen can be filtered out by hairs in the nose, the smaller fragments are able to pass through to the lungs - triggering the attack. An estimated 13 million people in the UK suffer from hayfever - an allergy to pollen. The Met Office has released an amber thunderstorm warning for southeast England and East Anglia from Friday evening into Saturday morning. According to their forecasts, the storms are set to send the pollen count soaring, with levels expected to be "high" across all of England - and as far north as central Scotland. However, they are due to spike to "very high" in Yorkshire & Humber, the East and West Midlands, London, and East and Southeast England. The pollen count is due to stay "high" over the weekend in central and southern England, before once again spiking in the south of England on Monday and Tuesday. While "thunder fever" may sound like a myth, its consequences are all too real for allergy sufferers. Met Eireann thunderstorm warning for 9 counties NOW as Ireland weather 'improving next week' with 22C heat An outbreak in London in June 1994 saw 640 patients overwhelm A&E departments across the country with asthma or other breathing problems - with more than 100 admitted and five in intensive care. In 2016 Melbourne experienceed an even more destructive case of thunder fever that saw thousands seeking emergency attention and led to the deaths of 10 people. Emma Rubach, Head of Health Advice at Asthma + Lung UK, said: 'Thunderstorms can be risky for people with asthma if pollen and air pollution are triggers for their condition. "This is because high winds draw higher levels of pollen and pollution particles into the atmosphere. "Then, when the pollen comes into contact with water from rain, it breaks down into even smaller particles that, when breathed in, can get deeper into the airways and trigger asthma symptoms such as wheezing, coughing and chest tightness, leading to a potentially life-threatening asthma attack. 'The good news is there are steps people can take to reduce the impact of thunderstorms. "Firstly, they should take their preventer inhaler as prescribed and should also make sure they are taking antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays, if needed, if pollen is a trigger for them, to help control their pollen allergy. "They should also keep their reliever inhaler with them in case of emergencies, as this relaxes the muscles in the airways and helps to relieve sudden asthma symptoms. 'We'd also advise staying indoors during thunderstorms if possible, and on hot, stormy days keeping inhaler medications in cool, dry areas at home and in a dry cool bag when outdoors as they may not work as well when exposed to hot temperatures or damp environments.'

When is it too hot to work? Office rights explained for workers
When is it too hot to work? Office rights explained for workers

The Sun

time3 hours ago

  • The Sun

When is it too hot to work? Office rights explained for workers

TEMPERATURES continue to rise, and many will be feeling hot under their work collars. The MET Office has forecast that temperatures could hit up to 28C across some parts of the UK. 1 Yet while these balmy conditions may feel like we're on holiday, for those who have to face days in the office and can't be with a fan at home, these are your rights when it gets too hot to work. When is it too hot to work? Unfortunately, it's not simple. Firstly, there's no minimum or maximum temperature for offices or other places of work defined by law. But, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has said: "An employer must provide a working environment which is, as far as is reasonably practical, safe and without risks to health." The issue is that this definition of what is "reasonable" and "safe" is debatable. National Accident Helpline legal operations director John Kushnick said: "Temperatures in the workplace are covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which place a legal obligation on employers to provide a 'reasonable' temperature in the workplace. "They suggest that the minimum temperature in a workplace should be at least 16°C, or if the work involves rigorous physical exertion, it can be 13°C. "Unfortunately, there are no laws which specifically state that workers can stop working if the temperature gets too hot or cold." But if a workplace does feel too hot, there are some typical signs to look out for if it feels like someone is suffering from heat stress: An inability to concentrate Muscle cramps Heat rash Severe thirst - a late symptom of heat stress Fainting Heat exhaustion - fatigue, giddiness, nausea, headache, moist skin Heat stroke - hot dry skin, confusion, convulsions and eventual loss of consciousness. This is the most severe disorder and can result in death if not detected at an early stage Bosses should undertake a risk assessment if enough staff complain about working conditions. The independent health and safety regulator also said: 'If a significant number of employees are complaining about thermal discomfort, your employer should carry out a risk assessment, and act on the results of that assessment.' The HSE has previously suggested bosses should ensure their workers have access to water and monitor their wellbeing in hot weather. What's more, if a staff member is deemed vulnerable, such as those going through menopause or who are pregnant, this should be taken into account. In this instance, vulnerable employees may need to work from home. But this is not possible for everyone, and so businesses may need to adapt. Fans, relaxed dress codes, or turning up the air conditioning are all measures that can make the office environment more comfortable. What are the temperature recommendations? The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers has helpfully recommended the following temperatures for different areas of work. If you have to take public transport, what are your rights? Much like in the office, these are up for debate as each transport company can set its own policies, and so during a heatwave, there are no laws about temperatures. Therefore, over the coming weeks, travellers are in for some pretty hot journeys. And while Transport for London has said all Tubes will be air-conditioned by 2030, let's not forget the extremely high temperatures Londoners face on the Tube, with commuters claiming they experienced conditions of 42C in 2018! So until the time that commuting is not like walking into an oven, it is recommended that travellers take water bottles and, if possible, wear loose-fitting clothing which is cool and light. Commuters who travel by car are also sharing tips to save money and stay cool when travelling. There are also easy ways to fight the heat at home with some"air con" hacks.

Ultimate 65p Tesco buy will keep your paddling pool crystal clear all summer – & you probably already have it
Ultimate 65p Tesco buy will keep your paddling pool crystal clear all summer – & you probably already have it

The Sun

time4 hours ago

  • The Sun

Ultimate 65p Tesco buy will keep your paddling pool crystal clear all summer – & you probably already have it

A PADDLING pool owner has revealed a simple 65p trick she uses to keep her water crystal clear all summer long. With temperatures set to reach up to 29 degrees today, and the Met Office predicting a scorching summer, many Brits are likely digging the paddling pools out of the garden shed in a bid to keep cool. 2 2 However, after a long winter of neglect, you may have realised that your pool is covered in algae. Your first thought might be to blast your paddling pool with a pressure washer, but these can be incredibly pricey, and end up wasting water. Instead one pool fan shared the budget friendly hack they use to scrub theirs clean. Sharing a the purse-friendly tip on their TikTok channel, Dub said: "Here's one household item that keeps your pool clean." In a video, Dub holds up a box of bicarbonate of soda and pours it into her swimming pool. She then uses a brush to scrub the sides of her pool and get it sparkling. Backing up this hack, Millennium Pool revealed that if you add water to the bicarbonate of soda, and make it in to a paste, you can use it to scrub algae off the side of your paddling pool. The pool company added that bicarbonate of soda also helps to make your pool water crystal clear. This is because it increases the PH level of the water. Alicia Johnson , The founder of Cleaning Green LLC, explained: "Adding baking soda to your pool will raise both the pH and alkaline level, which will help increase the pool's clarity and improve stability". Inflating a Kid's Pool: Quick Hack with a Hair Dryer The expert revealed that you should use 680 grams of bicarbonate of soda for every 10,000 gallons of water. Bicarbonate of soda is extremely cheap, and you can pick it up for just 65p from Tesco. Dub's (@ hack has likely left many impressed, as it has racked up over 93,000 views on the video sharing platform. TikTok users raced to the video's comments section to share their thoughts on the hack. How to keep cool in hot weather Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. Here are three ways to keep cool according to the NHS... Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter. Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes. Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep. One person said: "I buy it in bulk at Costco! Works great!" A second person said: "I use two chlorine tabs and two baking soda tabs to keep mine clear and blue." A third person said: "I want to jump in." Mum Danielle previously suggested that Pink Stuff can be a great budget friendly hack for cleaning your paddling pool. She said: "When getting the paddling pool out of storage it can be dusty and covered in mud. "I suggest using the Pink Stuff and bleach and giving it a good scrub with a brush and microfibre cloth. "I then rinse it thoroughly with the hosepipe and get an old towel to dry it out then leave it to dry in the sun upside down before filling."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store