Forum Topic

Thames Water works - Putney High Street

As if Hammersmith Bridge closure isn't causing enough chaos on the High St., Thames Water have today (yes, a Saturday) put in a one lane traffic system opposite TSB. No-one on site, traffic jams from Fulham to A3 both ways, call (to incorrect number shown on sign) cut off after 15 mins and no-one called back despite saying they would if that happened, which it did during transfer to what I now know is a department closed on weekends! When will our utilities companies and local council engage in joined-up thinking?

Roy Robart ● 2664d16 Comments

High Street shut next Sunday 4th cycle ride. Putney Property prices will be dropping fast. Don't live in Putney we put up with everything.

Barbara Stevens ● 2664d

That's interesting, what time did they set that up? I got the 430 bus from Putney Station to Medfield Street at just after 7:30am then back at c10:00am as I had an appointment at Queen Mary's, Roehampton. Had two of the quickest journeys ever, although there was some congestion as we turned from the URR into PHS on the return journey. However, some of the staff were late arriving at QMH but in one case that was because of a train cancellation so I don't think TW can be blamed for that. Is it a burst pipe? They've been digging up the east end of Disraeli Road by the Oxford Road junction for a week or so because of a problem (a leak?) there.

Michael Ixer ● 2664d

I haven't driven today so haven't been aware of the problems. That said what galls me is cones up, traffic funnelled onto one lane and no bugger working.

Simon Knight ● 2664d

It looks like a today job finishing tomorrow but it was a non-urgent "improvement" - no sign of a burst pipe and presumably started later than your journey time.

Roy Robart ● 2664d

They put a temporary traffic light in our road, we couldn't really turn left as a cone in the road in the High Street, right by the crossing by TSB.

Barbara Stevens ● 2664d

I suppose they should have left it until the rush hour on Monday instead of the weekend to cause maximum disruption.

Andy Pike ● 2663d

Thames water come on my road twice every day to de-clog on particular house otherwise the property would flood. This has happening for the past 6 months. They come once in the morning usually at around 9-10 and once in the evening any time between 8-11pm. The noise is extremely disruptive and loud. I’ve contacted Thames water who say there’s nothing they can do about it and currently they are waiting a specialist company to come up with a definitive solution to the problem. It is really affecting my life as I can hear it in my flat and certainly I can’t enjoy the garden when the noise is occurring.  Complaints to Thames water have made them attemptTo at least bring the lorry earlier in the evenings as it was affecting my sleep (but this has been to variable success)Would complaining to the council help matters?

Simon Sharp ● 2663d

Simon. The problem is TW have subcontracted a lot of their work and don't seem to have retained the knowledge to manage it properly. We had a problem 3-4 years ago and only got a resolution when my wife escalated it to an independent oversight authority and to TW board level. However, you'd  probably have to get the homeowner who is directly affected to do that, although from what you say that may have already been done.

Michael Ixer ● 2663d

Although TW aren't working today and the High  Street is unobstructed the temporary lights are still in operation. Does that mean the TW are returning tomorrow or they just didn't get around to removing them yesterday? I note Disraeli Road is still half blocked by TW and Werter Road is closed off today for the building work on the old WHS block.

Michael Ixer ● 2663d

Thank you for your reply and insight. Thames Water are doing the manual ‘pump out’ work whilst waiting for a company called “Lanes Group” to workout the definitive solution. Thames Water are calling me up every four weeks to give me an update but very little changes. From the above, do you think I can escalate and to whom? I’m happy to contact the homeowner to do this (though I suspect it is a rented out large property) Even as I type this I am hearing the rattle!

Simon Sharp ● 2663d

Simon what large rented out property. The shops basements flooded R.Dyas and the coffee shop in the last year. It's the High Street, the cones are in. Due you know it's a large house or just suspecting it is?

Barbara Stevens ● 2662d

Simon. The organisation is the consumer council for water:https://www.ccwater.org.uk/I'd advise you to talk to ccwater informally about your problem and find out the best way to proceed. I think your neighbour needs to make a formal written complaint to the TW CEO and Chairman, and copy the consumer council for water. (If they haven't already.)From memory, in our experience the Lanes operators seemed to understand our problem but TW appeared to ignore them.

Michael Ixer ● 2662d

When will we put our water management back into the public sector??  With climate change and a predicted huge worldwide problem with water in near future, why should we let fund managers from Australia and their shareholders keep a grip on our capital city's water??  Yes, public utilities have been badly run in the past, but surely after 20/30 years we have learned some lessons?

Bunny Payne ● 2662d

I thought that Macquarie had sold their interest in Thames Water.

Philippa Bond ● 2658d

they did, once they had taken billions in dividends

Adam Tripp ● 2658d

Wasn't that what the German firm who owned them before Macquarie did?

Philippa Bond ● 2658d