Lammas Park Road Residents in Despair Over Diversion

Thames Water redirecting traffic down narrow street for third time

Lorries squeezing down road are causing carnage with wing mirrors

February 29, 2024

For the third time in recent months the residents of Lammas Park Road are having traffic directed down their street due to work being carried out by Thames Water.

The latest burst pipe occurred this Tuesday (27 February) and required the closure of Culmington Road and the placement of signs directing traffic down the narrow adjacent street.

The first time the water utility needed to dig up the road on 22 January, ten local residents reported damage to their cars as unsuitably wide vehicles sought to use the road.

They say diverted traffic was flowing too fast for the width of road and drivers either bounced off parked cars or poorly navigated turn-ins when faced with a car coming in the opposite direction. There was even an incident where an ambulance had to rescue a stressed driver who couldn’t cope with reversing down the street due the heavy flow of traffic coming at her.

A resident and mother of a 10-year-old said, "Ten parked cars in Lammas Park Road suffered damage the last time this diversion was in place because our street is narrow & already congested. It simply cannot cope with large lorries. Some diverted car drivers were unable to navigate tight pull-in spots when faced with traffic coming in the opposite direction especially during rush hour.

"The speed at which diverted traffic is hurtling down what is usually a quiet residential street is also dangerous and frightening. Yet despite numerous complaints to the Council and Thames Water a diversion has been introduced for the third time. This is impractical, dysfunctional and totally disrespectful. What does it take for them to listen, heaven forbid a personal injury? Ealing is full of narrow streets that should not be major thoroughfares. Ealing Council should have better planning in place & listening skills frankly for when situations like this occur. "

An ambulance stuck in the resulting traffic on Lammas Park Road

Complaints to Ealing Council and Thames Water at the time were answered by both organisation saying the chaos was the responsibility of the other.

On 19 February problems with the same pipe emerged requiring another closure and more outcry for residents before the same issue arose again this week.

Braced for more insurance claims, residents have pleaded with the council to look for an alternative route for the diversion.

We have asked Thames Water for comment.