Temporary traffic lights will stay in place on Roehampton Lane through the weekend following last week’s burst water main, while the Carslake Road leak continues to pour water across the residential street after four days with the road closed.
The Roehampton Lane permit runs until Monday 12 January, meaning two-way signals will remain at the burst main site near Clarence Lane throughout the weekend. Thames Water completed emergency repairs on Wednesday and buses have resumed their normal routes but the road needs to be rebuilt before the lights can be removed.
The Carslake Road situation is more severe. Water has been pouring from the pavement and across the road since the burst was identified on Monday 6 January. Thames Water started repair work on Thursday but the road remains closed with a permit running until next Thursday 16 January.
Residents report the Carslake Road leak has been affecting access to Ark Putney school, with parents struggling to navigate the narrow residential streets around the closure. The continuous flow of water has created hazards for pedestrians trying to reach the school.
The two failures are part of a cluster of burst mains across SW15 in the past fortnight. A major burst closed West Hill in both directions on New Year’s Eve, while Roehampton Lane’s closure this week caused gridlock across Putney when six bus routes diverted through Dover House Road.
Thames Water reported in December that freezing temperatures were causing “twice the usual bursts” across its network. However, the company has offered no explanation for the concentration of failures in Putney or why the Carslake Road leak has continued for days while repairs were prioritised elsewhere.
Route 424 buses remain diverted via Putney Heath, Wildcroft Road and Putney Hill while Carslake Road stays closed. The hail and ride sections between Chartfield Avenue and Carslake Road are not being served.
Drivers using Roehampton Lane should expect delays at the temporary lights, particularly during peak times. The lights are scheduled for removal on Monday but Thames Water has not confirmed whether this will happen. Alternative routes include Putney Hill heading north and the A3 via Tibbet’s Corner heading south.
The Carslake Road closure affects residential access across a wider area of West Putney. Residents can check one.network for the latest permit information on both sites.
Thames Water customers experiencing supply issues can call 0800 316 9800. Bus passengers should check tfl.gov.uk/bus/status for live updates on route 424 diversions.
Reading for some days now the news related to water leaks in the area hoping to see an ETA from the water company about the resolution. Why is the traffic the main focus of all your articles when the main problem is lack of water for days now?! Isn’t this situation being considered a health hazard in this country?
I completely agree – has anyone with any authority been seen in the vicinity supporting the residents? I walked a generator of some sort in Roehampton Close last night. No one there of course but I wondered how the residents liked the noise of that all night? Seems to have been related to the recent gas repairs there.
Would it really be beyond the bounds of possibility to draft in workers from other companies to help out with this emergency? I was in France during a hurricane which left vast swathes of the country without electricity or telephone lines for more than 10 days. The French authorities drafted in people from the UK to help out with what was a national emergency.