We had a mains pipe leak last year, the Water Board couldnt find the stop tap in the street, so had to cut through the pipe running along the house to fit a new stop tap. I watched them do it, and it was all done remarkably quickly with not a great deal of spillage - pipe cutter on, slowly cut through, once it was about through, with some water leaking, he went a lot quicker, broke the cut, and rammed a plastic quick-fit stop tap on the pipe.
I've since been looking for one of these quick fit stop taps without luck - 20mm plastic versions are plentiful, but one for a half inch or
15mm copper pipe have been elusive so far.
Anyone know where to get them from? Thanks Alan.