Thames Water chaos on Cally for 10 weeks

Thames Water is, at last, replacing the risky mains on Offord Road and Caledonian Road. Councillors representing Caledonian and Barnsbury wards have continuously demanded that Thames Water fully replace these pipes.

Unfortunately, Thames Water is doing both jobs at the same time! The result is traffic congestion and serious delays to bus services.

Offord Road

A Victorian era cast-iron 12-inch diameter mains pipe runs down Offord Road and has repeatedly burst causing serious flooding. This happened in Oct 2018, February 2021 and again in July 2022.

The street is especially vulnerable to the effects of this water main bursting due to its gradient and the large number of basement flats. When these are submerged, lives are at risk.

The works on Offord Road will last 10 weeks and will completely close the highway to all through traffic. The project will be done in 4 phases and approximately 40 car parking spaces will be lost in one go for the full 10-week duration. The Council’s highways department says that Thames Water will ensure that any vulnerable residents or those with specific mobility requirements are catered for, and that there is “adequate parking elsewhere in the local area for those who are displaced.” Click here for a presentation file showing the detailed project plans and its phasing.

Caledonian Road

A similar large diameter mains pipe runs down Caledonian Road and has also repeatedly fractured – at locations outside the prison, on the high street and south of Copenhagen Street.

Work began on Wednesday 24th July, south of Copenhagen Street, to install new plastic piping and this also affects the entrance to Edwards Square, Carnegie Street and Thornhill Bridge Wharf. The work is expected to take “approximately 8 weeks to complete” according to Thames.

Temporary traffic lights are now in operation, south of Copenhagen Street with traffic limited to a single lane. During mornings, this has already caused significant build-up of traffic stretching as far north as Offord Road, where another set of lights already restricts traffic. Despite a promise that both projects have been coordinated “to ensure the phases do not clash” that is exactly what seems to have happened.

Barnsbury Ward Councillor Praful Nargand comments: “As local councillors, we have seen the harm that Thames Water’s failure to invest in our water infrastructure has caused for our residents, and it is good to see these vital and long-campaigned for improvements now taking place. We are acutely aware of the risk of inconvenience and disruption, and we will be keeping a close eye on the works as they progress. Any residents with any concerns or experiencing issues with Thames Water’s works should get in touch as soon as possible.”