Plea Made for a Permanent Fix on Oxford Road South

Being dug up again by Thames Water this time for three weeks

Road closed sign on Oxford Road South. Picture: Facebook

April 26, 2026

Oxford Road South in Chiswick is facing another period of disruption as Thames Water returns to carry out further underground works on a stretch of road that residents say has been repeatedly dug up, patched over and left in poor condition for years.

The road was closed between number 46 and Oxford House at 48D Oxford Road South from Wednesday (22 April), with the closure expected to remain in place until 5pm on Wednesday 13 May — a period of just over three weeks, though Thames Water says the road may reopen earlier if work is completed ahead of schedule. Emergency vehicles and those involved in the works will retain access throughout.

A signed diversion route will operate via Chiswick Village and Brooks Road, running in both directions. Thames Water's traffic management plans, prepared by Hatton Traffic Management, states that a letter drop to affected residents was carried out before works began and that parking bays along the affected stretch will be suspended.

The closure has prompted renewed calls from local Conservative councillors Peter Thompson and Gabriella Giles for Thames Water and Hounslow Council to move beyond what they describe as a cycle of temporary repairs.

"Residents on and around Oxford Road South are understandably frustrated," the councillors said in a joint statement. "This road has suffered repeated Thames Water leaks, recurring surface failures and persistent potholes, with the same stretch dug up and disrupted repeatedly. Residents are rightly asking when they will finally see a proper long-term fix rather than yet another temporary patch-up."

The councillors confirmed that in January 2026, Hounslow Council's Network Management Team recommended Oxford Road South for inclusion in the 2026 resurfacing programme. Officers also confirmed at that time that reactive repairs had been scheduled following an inspection on 15 January, and that the road would be kept under ongoing monitoring.

Cllr Giles has led much of the local pressure on this issue, repeatedly raising the deteriorating state of the road with council officers and pushing for a permanent solution rather than further stopgap repairs.

"The sustained work on this issue has been led by Gabriella, who has consistently raised the deteriorating condition of Oxford Road South with officers," the statement said. "Residents will welcome resurfacing when it happens. Local Conservatives will continue pressing for proper resurfacing, proper reinstatement after works, and a lasting solution for local residents."

The frustration felt by residents reflects a pattern common where ageing water infrastructure sits beneath roads that have been repeatedly excavated and reinstated, often leaving surfaces in worse condition than before. Thames Water describes the current works as essential statutory works, and the closure is in effect only when indicated by appropriate traffic signs on the ground.

Residents are being asked to allow extra time for journeys while the closure is in place and to report any significant issues arising from the works through the usual channels.