Page updated: Monday 15 April
Our work to upgrade the gas network in the London Road area of Mitcham is ongoing.
We’re investing £2 million to replace our old pipes now to prevent future disruption caused by the unplanned, urgent repairs the community has experienced in the last 12 months. This essential work will ensure local homes and businesses will continue to receive a safe and reliable supply of gas for many years to come.
We're upgrading our gas network in sections along London Road. Our engineers will be working in the area until November.
The initial phases of work have now been completed and we're about to start the third phase of work on Monday 22 April. Details of this third phase and future phases of this project can be found below.
Working to keep you safe and warm
What we're doing
We're replacing a section of our network that has a history of leaks. We've been managing the leak in an emergency repair capacity, but this permanent solution will address future disruption and ensure nearby properties have a reliable supply of gas.
When we're working
Our gas network replacement project started on Monday 22 January. We'll be progressing along the road over six phases between now and November.
What does this mean for you?
- Please check your local bus timetable to see if our work has affected the bus stop location, route or schedule of the service
- Please advise any delivery companies and visitors they may need to use the diversion route
- Please allow additional time for your journeys on this sensitive route while our work takes place
Phase three
The third phase of our gas network upgrade project along London Road will take place from Monday 22 April and last approximately 13 weeks.
Our engineers will be replacing our old pipes between Mitcham Town Centre and Locks Lane.
To ensure everyone's safety while this section of work is carried out, London Road will be closed to northbound motorists between these locations. Signed diversions will be in place for affected road users.
Access will remain to St Mark's Car Park throughout this phase of work.
London Road will remain open for southbound motorists.
Vehicles travelling along Bond Road will be unable to access London Road to travel northbound. Instead, affected road users will need to follow the signed diversion route along the southbound carriageway and via Western Road, Christchurch Road, Priory Road, High Street Colliers Wood, Tooting High Street, Mitcham Road and London Road.
From Monday 1 July, we will need to fully close Bond Road at its junction with London Road. For approximately two weeks, there will be no access in or out of Bond Road at this junction. A signed diversion will be in place.
Diversion information for buses
127 & 201 towards Tooting or Herne Hill
From London Road/Upper Green East, right Upper Green East, at roundabout first exit Three Kings Road, ahead Commonside West, left Cedars Avenue, left Tamworth Lane, ahead Eastfield Road, ahead Locks Lane, right Streatham Road to line of route.
264, 270 & 355 towards Tooting, Putney or Brixton
From Commonside West/Three Kings Road roundabout, first exit Three Kings Road, ahead Commonside West, left Cedars Avenue, left Tamworth Lane, ahead Locks Lane, right London Road to line of route.
152 towards Pollards Hill
From Western Road/London Road, ahead Western Road, ahead Upper Green East, at roundabout first exit at roundabout first exit Three Kings Road, ahead Commonside West, left Cedars Avenue, left Tamworth Lane, right Grove Road to line of route.
280, S1, N44 towards Tooting, Lavender Fields or Aldwych
From London Road/Upper Green East, right Upper Green East, at roundabout first exit Three Kings Road, ahead Commonside West, left Cedars Avenue, left Tamworth Lane, ahead Eastfield Road, ahead Locks Lane, right London Road to line of route.
Phase four
Our engineers will be returning to London Road’s junction with Locks Lane for two weeks.
Temporary lights will be in operation around our work area to manage traffic flow in both directions.
Locks Lane will be shut to motorists at this junction and affected residents should follow the signed diversion.
All our work has been agreed in close consultation with Merton Borough Council.
We have two additional phases still to be planned as part of this essential gas network upgrade project in London Road. Once details for phases five and six have been confirmed, the information will be published on this page.
We understand roadworks can be frustrating. However, the new plastic pipe will have a lifespan of 80 years, which means once it is installed, Mitcham homes and businesses will be able to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable supply of gas for many years to come.
The sections of gas main being replaced are old metal pipes that have had multiple repairs. Replacing them with new plastic pipes will provide a permanent solution to address ongoing disruption caused by leaks. These gas pipelines not only service properties in the immediate area but provide a critical supply of gas to the area.
The work to replace the gas main along London Road is a result of ongoing leaks in the area. Our project is being carried out as urgent work to ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas is delivered to nearby properties, meaning there's minimal planning time and advance warning.
The work involves keeping the gas live and this is a complex engineering task. Temporary bypass gas mains need to be installed to make sure there is enough gas supply to continue supplying the community. Critical utility infrastructure such as underground electric cables also require careful excavation to make sure works are completed safely.
There are many reasons why engineers may not be visible on site at a particular time during our project. These include:
- Local pressure testing: During the installation process, we need to maintain local pressures in the gas network. This requires engineers to be offsite at multiple governor locations across south London to monitor the pressures flowing through network.
- Collection of materials: We may need to leave site to collect materials and parts which cannot be stored onsite.
- Completed work: When further engineering works are not possible until the following day, continuing to work would take our team over their permitted working hours.
- Resurfacing: We may not be present onsite when working to restore the area around our site to its original condition and road curing is ongoing.
To maintain network supply, we’re required to work in shorter sections and extra engineers will not speed up operations.
There are regulations relating to the amount of space required to work safely. If the road doesn’t meet these requirements, we must use traffic management to ensure the safety of everyone around our site.
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