Thames Water is digging up Putney High Street again next week, bringing traffic to a crawl along the northern end of the road from Friday to Sunday.
Contractor MGroup Ltd will repair a damaged underground chamber near Disraeli Road from Friday 29 May to Sunday 31 May, 8am to 6pm each day.
There is no realistic alternative route for traffic: the high street carries cars, buses and cyclists that have nowhere else to go, especially with Hammersmith and Albert Bridges closed and with Wandsworth Bridge reduced to two lanes. As we have seen repeatedly, any friction on the High Street backs up across the surrounding roads.
It is the latest in a long run of disruption on the road. Most notoriously, when temporary lights failed at roadworks on the High Street last October, the already-overwhelmed Putney Bridge junction came to a standstill, c backed up into Fulham, one resident took over an hour to travel a single mile, and bus passengers were forced to get off and walk.
Thames Water did at least give notice this time, writing to councillors on 23 April and erecting huge signs this week. But with nowhere else for traffic to go, expect near gridlock, again.
Water supply will not be affected.
For enquiries call 0800 316 9800 or visit thameswater.co.uk/live, quoting WO-07465975.
