A busy city road flooded after a "catastrophic leak".

Traffic was forced to move along Dereham Road with caution on Monday due to the amount of water on the road.

Photos and videos showed drivers struggling to navigate the flooding, particularly close to the Kwik Fit garage and The Gatehouse pub.

An Anglian Water technician at the scene said that after the leak had been stemmed, it became clear the force of the water had ruptured the tarmac on part of the pavement.

The force of the water has ruptured the pavement The force of the water has ruptured the pavement (Image: Edward Dewulf-Peters)

The damage appears to be worst around houses 328 to 364.

John has been clearing up the mess with a trowelJohn has been clearing up the mess with a trowel (Image: Edward Dewulf-Peters)

There was around half a foot of water in some people's driveways. 

Some driveways are still floodedSome driveways flooded (Image: Edward Dewulf-Peters)

John, who lives just past the roundabout and whose home has been partially flooded, said: "Anglian Water did the drains here just five weeks ago and now this has happened. 

Cars are being forced to drive with careDrivers are being forced to drive with care (Image: Supplied)

"They keep raising the levels and the pressure just builds up."

He has been attempting to clear the drains with a garden trowel and said he had water up to his waist. 

A worker on site described it as a 'catastrophic leak'A worker on site described it as a 'catastrophic leak' (Image: Supplied) The pavement and road is covered in some areasThe pavement and road were covered in some areas (Image: Supplied)

Another person who lives locally said workers on the site had described it as a "catastrophic leak".

First Bus was forced to divert services along Guardian Road, Bowthorpe Road and Larkman Lane in both directions.

An Anglian Water spokeswoman said: “We’re really sorry that some customers in Costessey might have had low water pressures, or no water at all, on Monday morning.

Flooded roads after the leakFlooded roads after the leak (Image: Newsquest)

"This is due to a burst pipe on Dereham Road.

"Our teams are working hard to repair this as quickly as possible and everyone’s water supply should now be back to normal.

"In order to keep our teams and other road users safe while we work, we have needed to close the outbound lane of Dereham Road from the Norwich ring road.

"We’d like to thank our customers for their patience while we get things back to normal.”

The aftermath of the ruptureThe aftermath of the rupture (Image: Newsquest)