Art studio unable to operate after pipe burst

22 hours ago

Carmelo GarciaLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — Jo Leahy said Stroud Valleys Artspace said no building or plumbing-related work had been carried out prior to the pressure valves leaking

Stroud Valleys Artspace A flooded entrance space to an art gallery. There is water all over the floor and, in the doorway to outside the property, there is a broom and an orange bucket. There is an outdoor seating area. — Jo Leahy said Stroud Valleys Artspace said no building or plumbing-related work had been carried out prior to the pressure valves leaking

An art studio and events space has been flooded after a pipe burst damaged the building.

Jo Leahy, artistic director at Stroud Valleys Artspace in John Street, Stroud, said she reported a significant increase in water pressure to Severn Trent Water on 10 February after two pressure valves started leaking.

Despite following Severn Trent's advice to turn the stopcock on and off five times to relieve the pressure, the pipe burst on 16 February and Leahy said Stroud Valleys Artspace could not operate until the "severe external water pressure" was fixed.

Severn Trent said tests found no pressure problems, and the facility should contact a plumber and its insurers for further support.

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Leahy said no building or plumbing-related work had been carried out prior to the pressure valves leaking.

She received an urgent call from several users of the building on 16 February, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"There was a severe flood in the building causing major damage to the building and equipment," Leahy said.

She said she called Severn Trent on the same day and was told it was not an emergency and nobody could come until at least Saturday 21 February.

Stroud Valleys Artspace A large hole in the dark paint and plaster on a ceiling, revealing sodden floorboards above after a pipe burst. The doorframe, wall and ceiling are all painted with dark grey paint, and a door can be seen leading to a lighter space. — Leahy said there will be more floods and damage to Stroud Valleys Artspace if the water pressure is not fixed

Leahy said Stroud Valleys Artspace was in use 24 hours a day by 30 users of the building.

"We have a cafe, bar, gallery and events with over 800 people coming to the building each week," she said.

"We cannot operate our services until the severe external water pressure is fixed.

"Otherwise, there will be more floods and damage to our property. We urgently need a solution."

'No change in pressure'

A Severn Trent spokesperson said the utility was sorry to hear about the situation.

"Our teams have carried out investigations across our network and we can confirm there has been no change in pressure, nor any issues that would have caused an internal burst," they said.

"We know how disruptive a burst pipe in a property can be, but all pressure readings are stable and as expected, and we have updated the customer with this."

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