Another burst water main brings traffic chaos

Yet again Chiswick High Road has been brought to a near standstill due to a burst water main.

The road is flooded only a short distance from where a similar incident happened last November by the junction with Acton Lane.

The problem this time was caused by a water main being ruptured whilst Council contractors were working nearby to complete the upgrade of a nearby road crossing. Apparently the workmen did not strike the main directly but the vibrations caused by their work caused the pipe to crack.

Reportedly the initial leak was minimal but Thames Water closed a stop valve on being informed of the problem and this seemed to result in the amount of water flowing out increasing.

The resulting traffic chaos was compounded later in the day by the closure of the west bound M4 between Chiswick Roundabout and Heston following another incident.

The flooding of Chiswick High Road came on the same day that Thames Water announced the end of the hosepipe ban.

The latest reports are that traffic is now flowing smoothly along Chiswick High Road.

January 13, 2007