Long Road in Clapham closed to eastbound traffic at Clapham Common Southside

Long Road in Clapham is closed to eastbound traffic at Clapham Common Southside while Thames Water upgrade pipes.

Pedestrian access is unaffected, however bus routes that usually drive eastbound down Long Road, such as 345, 35 and 37 are on diversion.

Their temporary route change cuts left before the Skatepark onto Clapham Common North Side, and passing Rookery Road and Holy Trinity Clapham, continues along The Pavement before reconnecting with their usual routes from Clapham High Street. As a result, the bus stop outside Clapham Common tube station is bypassed and passengers who usually alight there are advised to seek their nearest alternative.

According to one of the contractors on site, Long Road should re-open to cars in both directions by Saturday (August 28).

He said: "We started on Friday and should be finished by Saturday."

Thames Water signs around the site say: "We're making pipes smarter with new technology to help detect leaks and low pressure earlier."

In February this year leaks in the Thames Water network lost a staggering 732 million litres of water every day. Its current rollout of smart meters through London is intended to battle this water waste and protect the capital from the water shortages predicted.

Mark Cooper, head of metering at Thames Water, said: "The use of smart meters has been a real game changer as they give us such a detailed insight into exactly where the water we put into supply goes, when our customers use water and how much they use.

"The data has been particularly invaluable over the last 12 months as the traditional demand patterns we've been used to have changed significantly due to lockdown.

"The typical peak demand periods of early morning and evening are no longer so prominent as fewer people are leaving their homes for work so might shower, use the washing machine or water the plants in the middle part of the day instead."

Have a story local to Clapham you want to share with us? Email [email protected], call 07742 524 934 or tweet @IssyMillett.

Find all the latest local news by following Clapham Nub News on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.