Local traders say street is like a 'building site' as works start again

Thames Water, which had suspended its anti-flooding works in Devonshire Road, started work again last week as traders complained that it makes the street look like a 'building site'.

A large 'cage' was installed on the road outside Whisk and traffic has had some difficulty making its way down the street from the High Road. Thames Water says that while they originally planned to finish on May 6th, the deadline has be extended to the end of May.

They said on Friday this was because further details need to be approved outside one of the properties.

Mike Moran of Top Hat cleaning business had complained that the workers had arrived out of the blue on Monday and started to put up a large 'cage'- without any advance notice to traders.

Thames Water said that originally a notice letter was hand delivered to 1-16 Devonshire Road . However, their Capital Delivery team would be revising the letter and would extend delivery to other numbers.

Asked why the large cage had been set up, which was causing difficulties to vehicles moving down the street from the High Road, the water company said that unlike other properties which had been completed in March numbers 5a and 7a were much more involved and required a more in-depth design.

"Following concerns about the cage we have arranged to move it on to the kerb which means the fencing is about 20mm over the white line.  The remaining road width is 3.1m."

The water company will work five days a week but the fencing will remain in place throughout their works.

Responding to the letter of complaint, Thames Water said: "I’m very sorry this makes your street look like a building site. I’d like to assure you that this is a very important work for the local community as it’s designed to prevent the flooding from the sewer at the local properties. We’ll do our best to minimise the disruption given the circumstances, and clear the site as soon as possible."

In January, businesses were irate when the street was partially closed off and said they were losing custom. The water company then said that their excavation works had enabled them to identify "an alternative solution to the sewer flooding problems which will be less disruptive to the wider area."

April 14, 2016