Norwood Forum has received a copy of the information letter being sent to all local residents (dated October 2019). We hope to be able to post more regular updates on progress with the works, dependent upon information being received from Thames Water in a timely manner. 

Around half of the new water pipe has now been laid, but Thames Water have amended the previously announced order of the works in the run up to Christmas:

• From 1 October to 14 December 2019: upgrading of pipes between Elmcourt Road and Ullswater Road.
• From 17 October to 14 December 2019: working opposite Perran Road at Tulse Hill to connect the new pipework.
• From 9 October, for approximately five days: digging trial holes to confirm the ground conditions between Chatsworth Way and Robson Road. Temporary 3-way traffic lights, with a signalised pedestrian crossing, to control the flow of traffic will be installed. The bus stops outside Sainsburys and London Decorators Merchants will be closed during this period. In fact these works are now due to be completed by Wednesday 23 October.

The Christmas shutdown will now start two weeks later than envisaged - delayed from 30 November to 14 December 2019, and continue until 6 January 2020. All working areas will be cleared and the site offices removed. Lancaster Avenue, York Hill and Leigham Vale will be re-opened to traffic to allow full access to shops and businesses during the festive shopping period.

Works will then continue between Chatsworth Way and Robson Road, and until May 2020 the site office will be located on Robson Road. During this period Robson Road will be closed at the junction with Norwood Road.

Works should still be completed by end of June 2020.

We raised with Thames Water the difficulties caused to bus passengers by the closure of bus stops, an issue that was raised with Thames Water representatives at our public meeting in July 2019. We asked for a guarantee that consecutive bus stops would not be closed, and for more information to be shown on closed bus stops as to the next available stop. During one recent period all southbound bus stops between the south circular and Robson Road were closed. Thames Water did not respond positively to these requests.

We also asked for a protected pedestrian path across Lancaster Avenue to be reinstated, but Thames Water have refused to install this. The current obstruction and danger to pedestrians will therefore apparently continue until the site office is removed (about 14 December 2019). Thames Water have however confirmed that a pedestrian way will be maintained across Robson Road (between Tesco and the Cemetery) when the site office is relocated there. 

You can read the Thames Water letter sent to all local residents here and here.

To contact Thames Water:

Phone 0800 316 9800, select option one; quote reference BB279802.

Thames Water teams are on site from Monday to Saturday (7:30am to 7:30pm), and Sundays (10am to 5pm).