At least 15 schools in Oxfordshire have been forced to close after a burst water main left thousands of homes and businesses without fresh water. The incident occurred near Swinford Toll Bridge, off Oxford Road in Witney, where a critical pipe supplying a local reservoir was damaged.
Thames Water customers in West Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds have been affected, with many reporting insufficient water supplies despite emergency repairs carried out on Thursday night. The burst has caused significant disruption, with schools closing as a precaution.
Oxfordshire County Council confirmed that 13 schools were shut on Friday, with two additional primary schools also closing. The closures are expected to last for around three days, with schools planning to reopen on Monday, March 9, though this remains subject to change.
Residents are advised to check local updates as Thames Water continues to work on restoring full water supplies to the area.
