Topic: | Re:high street flooeded | |
Posted by: | Matt Harmer | |
Date/Time: | 01/02/12 22:11:00 |
This from the council's Head of Traffic... I understand that the water main 'burst' was in fact caused by the separation of a joint in the section of the main that runs across the canal bridge. When Thames Water 'relined' their mains last year, they did no work to the short section of the main across the bridge as this section had been completely replaced around 8 years ago. It is on this section of relatively new main that a joint has failed. Thames Water has engaged a specialist contractor who will probably have to manufacture a new joint section to be put in place and I'm afraid we are still probably looking at a complete closure of the road for at least a week because of the damage that has been caused to the road structure. Variable message signs have been ordered that will be placed at locations such as on Twickenham Road and Kew Bridge to alert motorists to the closure and diversion signing is being put in place, but congestion this evening is likely to be bad although it should ease somewhat tomorrow as drivers become aware of the closure. We are working with TfL on signal timings at key junctions to try to mitigate as far as possible the impacts of the displaced traffic but, as has been discussed during the previous closures, this is a particularly problematic part of the Borough in terms of the availability of alternative routes for diverted traffic. |