Motorists battle yet more jams after pipe leak

The work started after a suspected water main leak, and it had been hoped to complete it in a day.

But after closer inspection, it was found the leak was from a domestic pipe, and work was expected to end last night (Wednesday).

The chaos came less than three months after roadworks in Watford Road, Harrow, from last November until March, caused severe problems for motorists, and the latest works have left drivers fuming.

Philip Dickson, of London Road, Stanmore said: "The traffic has been absolutely diabolical.

"On Monday night I spent almost an hour and a half getting from Harrow to my home.

"There always seems to be congestion and you can't seem to escape the roadworks.

"A few months ago there was big problems with traffic because of work near Northwick Park Hospital."

Traffic has been passing through much of Station Road in single file, where temporary traffic lights have been put up. Rosslyn Crescent and Nibthwaite Road are also closed.

Councillor John Nickolay, responsible for traffic and road safety, said: "I completely under-stand people's annoyance, and the other day I could have walked from Harrow bus station to the civic centre in a third of the time it took on the bus.

"But work such as this is very important because ultimately, if it isn't done, then people risk losing their water."

The works coincide with speed humps being installed in Harrow on the Hill, causing more congestion.

The council also plans work in seven other sites to begin today (Thursday). This includes the installation of islands in Bridge Street, Pinner, the widening of the road at the junction of George V

Avenue and Pinner Road, and the opening up of Wealdstone High Street, northbound.

A spokesperson for Three Valleys Water said: "We would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused by a leak on a communications pipe in Station Road Harrow this week."

She also said the company anticipated the temporary traffic lights would be removed by 3pm yesterday (Wednesday).