From Monday 2 November until June 2028, the wider Shooters Hill area will be subject to road closures and disruption due to a large programme of Thames Water works and repairs, improving water mains in the neighbourhood. Works will be staggered through this period to minimise the impact on residents.
Since 2017 alone, there have been roughly 500 bursts on Thames Water’s network of mains in the area, as well as 737 property hours of interrupted water supply for local people. As well as water outages and emergency road closures to facilitate repairs, these leaks have meant countless disrupted school runs, commutes and other journeys for residents and the wider public.
We know this is frustrating for residents, and as a council we are working with Transport for London (TfL) and others to mitigate the impact on the public and ensure residents continue to receive vital services throughout the forthcoming works.
Councillor Calum O’Byrne Mulligan, Cabinet Member for Transport, Climate Change, Waste and Streets, said:
“Residents have endured unacceptable disruption from leaks and water issues, and the council has been pushing Thames Water to take meaningful action at the highest level to provide long-term solutions. These crucial Thames Water repairs and replacements are something we’ve long campaigned for, so we’re pleased to see these works finally come to fruition.
“Unfortunately, the works can’t take place safely without road closures and bus diversions across the Shooters Hill area, and we really appreciate the continued patience of residents while Thames Water complete these works.
“We hope the short-term pain caused by the road closures and bus diversions will be worth the long-term gain of fewer leaks and emergency works, reliable water supply and easier journeys in and around the borough.
"We've sought to coordinate between Thames, other utilities and TfL buses to minimise disruption in the area and ensure vital transport links are maintained. We're also working across the council to ensure residents continue to receive vital services, from home care visits to waste collection throughout the works.
In total, Thames Water plan to replace roughly 7.3km of water mains as part of this project. According to Thames Water, similar works in boroughs such as Camden have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of leaks and bursts.
On any sites where Thames Water are working, they will be responsible for winter gritting services. The council will continue to grit areas which don't fall within active Thames Water works areas.
Any bus diversions throughout the works period will be advertised through signage and on TfL's website. If you think your route may be impacted by these works, check before your travel using the TfL Journey Planner or via the TfL Go app.
The work will be completed in phases, with residents on affected roads receiving letters with further details of any closures and works closer to the time. Works will also pause for two weeks over Christmas, allowing roads to reopen.
There will be a drop-in session for local people to discuss this specific works programme across the Shooters Hill area with Thames Water staff. Details of the drop-in session were included in letters to residents from Thames Water, and are as follows:
Location: Shrewsbury House, Community Centre
Address: Bushmoor Crescent, Shooters Hill, SE18 3EG
Date: Wednesday 21 October
Time: 4pm until 7pm