Water company says future work will not require a full road closure

Thames Water has suspended its anti-flooding works in Devonshire Road and the road, which was to be closed off for ten weeks, has re-opened.

A letter sent to traders said that the excavation and survey works in January had enabled them to identify "an alternative solution to the sewer flooding problems which will be less disruptive to the wider area."

The letter says they were only able to identify this solution once they had completed the sewer cleaning, CCTV surveys and trial holes.

One local source said that it appeared the main works would now be sited at four affected properties in the street, where the water company will have to access the basements to carry out further works, instead of the work being centred on the roadway. It is believed they also found a large amount of 'fatbergs' in the sewerage system.

Thames Water now believes that future works should only involve limited parking bay suspensions in Devonshire Road and not require a full road closure

"We are currently gathering more detailed information from the four affected properties in order to define and agree localised solutions with the individual property owners. Whilst we normally prefer to deliver common solutions that resolve sewer flooding problems for multiple properties, in this case, the single solution approached has proved not feasible without causing even more major disruption to local businesses and residents"

There had been constant complaints from traders about the work, which involved the closure of the street from the junction with Chiswick High Road, to Prince of Wales Terrace. One trader told chiswickw4.com that business was down by 30 per cent.

The traders had also complained that despite promising to work seven days a week, there had not been any work carried out last Sunday. However, they are now hopeful that if the future works are less disruptive, as the water company has said, business will improve.

February 3, 2016