Road users and local businesses are faced with further disruption next week as Hook Road in Surbiton is due to be closed for repair works by Thames Water.
The road will be closed in both directions between the junctions of Brook Road and Gladstone Road from Monday 23 October to Sunday 29 October for repairs to a leaking mains joint.
A signed diversion will be in place for motorists and bus routes will be diverted via Tolworth Broadway and Ditton Road.
Phillip Jeganathen, manager of Surbiton Sugarcraft store in Hook Road, expressed his concern that the closure will impact his deliveries.
He said: “It’s a nightmare. I don’t know what we are going to do and the same thing happened only two months ago.”
The latest roadworks come after the road was closed in August this year during the Waterloo platform upgrade which reduced train services in the area, for essential work to gas mains carried out by Southern Gas Networks (SGN).
Councillor Phil Doyle, cabinet member with responsibility for transport and highways at Kingston Council, said: “The work has been scheduled during the October half term break in order to minimise impact.
“Thames Water has put signs on both the A3 roundabout and Hook Road, advising residents nearby and road users of the planned work.”
Carol Humphreys, manager of Choppers Hairdressers, said: “It’s going to be quite difficult. We’re not sure how it will affect the business or if we will have a water supply.
“We’ll bring in buckets of water if we have to.”
Humphreys said that most of her staff live locally and had agreed to walk to work in order to keep the premises open for clients.
In a statement, Thames Water said: “We’re sorry to anyone who will be affected by the upcoming road closure on Hook Road, but this is essential work to carry out a repair on a leaking pipe, helping to protect water supplies and reduce leakage.”
