As Goldhawk Road water works run over schedule
Council bosses have slammed Thames Water after the utility company announced that its work to replace pipes on Goldhawk Road will last two weeks longer than expected.
The water giant began replacing Victorian pipes at the Sevens Stars corner on Goldhawk Road, Askew Road and Paddenswick Road in January.
This has led to serious traffic chaos, with a diversion in place via Uxbridge Road and Askew Road.
And now, to the dismay of residents, motorists and council officials, Thames Water bureaucrats say the work will go on until Sunday March 28 – two weeks longer than expected.
Thames Water say that the newly laid main failed a pressure test, effectively admitting that it has been laid incorrectly. They also state that they have uncovered a structure underneath the road, possibly a sewer, that there are inadequate records for.
Cllr Nick Botterill, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, said, “I am appalled that Thames Water’s ineptitude has meant that completing this work has been delayed. You would have thought that they are experts at replacing pipes – apparently not. Once again, it is residents and motorists who will be forced to bear the brunt of these Thames Water mistakes. I urge Thames Water to do everything they can to finish this work off as a matter of urgency.”
Unfortunately, due to these unforeseen difficulties, by law the council has no choice but to grant an extension to Thames Water.
Goldhawk Road will remain closed to westbound traffic at Goldhawk Road junction Brading Terrace, and remain open as usual for eastbound traffic, with only the junction with Greenside Road closed. All other side streets between Shepherd's Bush Green and Brading Terrace will be open to traffic. Temporary traffic lights at the roundabouts will keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible. Coningham Road will remain open one-way northbound, and the 94 and 237 buses will use this route, so that services carry on running during the works.
March 10, 2010