Long suffering villagers beset by roadworks to repair a collapsed carriageway were hit with more problems after a water pipe was drilled through. 

Residents in Aldham and Elmsett, as well as surrounding villages near Hadleigh, were left without water for much of Friday. 

It follows a water pipe being drilled through during roadworks which are ongoing to repair The Street in Aldham, which collapsed in November 2023. 

The incident is not expected to delay repairsThe incident is not expected to delay repairs (Image: Jenni Green)

Suffolk Highways has confirmed the burst will not extend the schedule of works.

A spokesperson for Anglian Water said on Friday afternoon that most customers should see a return to their supply by the end of the day. 

They said: "Our teams are responding to a burst main in Aldham, which was caused by a third party drilling into our pipe. 

"We’d like to thank our customers in Aldham and the surrounding areas for their patience while we get this fixed.”

According to Suffolk Highways, vulnerable customers would be provided bottled water. 

A spokesperson for Suffolk Highways said: "We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this has caused local residents.

"Providing the repair is completed as detailed on the Anglian Water website, Suffolk Highways will continue with essential repairs to the bank from Monday next week.

"We do not anticipate that this delay in repairs works will elongate the programme and we are still on track to complete works here by mid-October."

Work to repair the collapsed road has been ongoing since the middle of September following months of investigations and delays. 

A full completion date was initially set for the end of July 2024, before this was pushed back until August. 

Further delays were caused when nesting birds were found at the site.