Safety notice - Flooding on Claremont Road

Arrangements for students 

We recognise that these closures will cause disruption to teaching, research and other University activities. 

Schools will contact affected students directly with information about alternative arrangements, including changes to teaching locations and access to facilities. 

Students with concerns about research activities or equipment in affected areas of Merz Court should raise these through their School. Access to laboratories and equipment is being carefully coordinated and should not be attempted without authorisation. 

Please see the list of room changes below. This will continue to be updated as further information becomes available.

Further updates 

Specialist cleaning and recovery work is being arranged, and we will continue to review the timescales for reopening affected areas as work progresses. 

The safety of our students, colleagues and visitors remains our priority. We appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation while this work takes place. 

Update 8.45am Monday 2 November: 

No teaching activity has been identified in the affected areas of the buildings today and no timetable changes have been made.

Update 6.30pm: Campus arrangements for Monday 2 November 

Following the significant flooding caused by a burst water main on Claremont Road, University teams have been working throughout the day with emergency services and Northumbrian Water to manage the incident and assess the impact on our buildings. 

Most University buildings will be open as normal on Monday 2 November, although some restrictions will remain in place while essential safety checks, cleaning and repairs are carried out. 

Building closures and access restrictions 

• Ridley 1: The building will be closed on Monday 2 November to allow further assessments, cleaning and repairs. Teaching and other activities scheduled in the building will be relocated. 

• Merz Court: The basement and ground floor areas will be closed. All teaching remains unaffected. Students with lectures on the first floor and above should enter the building via the Mezzanine area (Entrance 3), which can be accessed from Claremont Road. A lift is available.

• Ridley 2: The building is expected to be open as normal. 

Students should not enter closed or restricted areas and should follow all safety signage and instructions from University Security and Estates teams. 

Timetable relocations

We are in the process of moving any teaching affected. We will provide updates on timetable moves on this page. Please continue to check back if you are affected.

Road closures 

Claremont Road remains partially closed, with diversions in place while repair work continues. Please follow local diversion signs and allow extra time for journeys to campus. 

Further updates 

The safety of our students, colleagues and visitors remains our priority. We are continuing to work with the relevant authorities and will provide further updates as assessments and recovery work progress. 

Thank you for your patience and cooperation. 

Original update:

Water has entered Merz Court and Ridley 1, with Ridley 2 also at risk. Emergency services and University teams are responding to the incident.

For your safety, please avoid the affected area and do not enter Merz Court or the Ridley buildings until advised that it is safe to do so. There is a potential electrical hazard associated with the flooding.

If you are currently in an affected building, please follow instructions from University Security and emergency services. Do not enter flooded areas or attempt to move through floodwater.

We are assessing the impact on University buildings and activities and will provide further updates as soon as information is available.

Please do not attempt to access affected areas to check on equipment or experiments. University teams are coordinating the response and assessing risks.

Thank you for your cooperation.