Emergency roadworks cause fresh traffic mayhem in Enfield

Thames Water is undertaking urgent repairs at Slades Hill with part of the road set to stayed closed until late on Wednesday

Traffic chaos at Slades Hill in Enfield (credit Desmond Quilty) — Traffic chaos at Slades Hill in Enfield pictured on Thursday (credit Desmond Quilty)

Drivers and bus passengers in Enfield are set to endure nearly a week of traffic chaos as emergency works by Thames Water close a key borough road.

Slades Hill, which is part of the A110 linking Enfield Town to Oakwood and Southgate, has been closed between Windmill Gardens and Slades Gardens since yesterday (Thursday 16th) for emergency works.

It means that all traffic is being diverted along alternative roads, with the 121 and 307 buses both being forced to use much longer routes to avoid the closure.

Although Thames Water has previously been prosecuted by Enfield Council for illegal roadworks in the borough, the civic centre has confirmed that on this occasion it did authorise the roadworks as permitted emergency works.

A public notice for the roadworks confirms they are scheduled to continue until very late on Wednesday (22nd).

Desmond Quilty, who was in the area when the closure was first implemented yesterday, told the Dispatch: “Some drivers were attempting to go past the roadworks on the pavement, causing arguments to break out.

“I rang the Thames Water phone number on the signs and four options were given, [but] none of them were related to traffic management surrounding roadworks, the options were concerning bills, leaks and property development.”

The Dispatch has also today (Friday 17th) attempted to contact the heavily-indebted private utility company – owned by a consortium of international investors including a Chinese sovereign wealth fund and a Canadian pension fund – but Thames Water did not respond.

In his first speech as Labour Party leader today, incoming prime minister Andy Burnham signalled his intention to bring British water companies back into public ownership for the first time since the 1980s, when they were sold off by Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

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