The Medway Handyman formulated the question :
You could always try the John Rumm 'work fast & get a little wet' method.
I've done that a few times as well. I'll let him describe the details :-)

- Turn all the other taps on, on the loop to reduce the leakage, have
an isolation valve (plus spanners) ready to hand and turned off, plenty
of towels to soak up the mess - cut the pipe fast and slip the valve
on. Simples...

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Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk