Gav wrote:

you could turn the water off in the road,

I may have to. Havent found any appropriate cover though, but will look
again if cant turn main stopcock off.

i did but forgot to warn
neibour. he was most supprised when he had no water. then you could
replace as much as possible of the corroded pipe and fix the pipe in a
better location

there really isnt a better location.

thanks, NT