A burst water pipe this morning at 04.50am has caused major disruption and could potentially mean that Brixton Hill is closed until after the weekend. This has now been found to be a 12-inch pipe rather than an 18-inch water main, but the volume of water this morning saw Brixton Hill become a torrent and streams of people walking from Streatham to Brixton as buses were caught up in the jam.

Below is an update on the event and the action that Thames Water is taking:

• Thames Water have excavated the damaged pipe and are preparing to cut out the broken section.  They have said that they will be working on replacing this as quickly as they can.
• No buildings appear to have been flooded and damage beyond the immediate road surface is currently minimal.
• They do not expect water supplies in the area to be affected by the burst but are keeping bottled water supplies and tankers on standby in the area as a contingency.
• Brixton Hill is currently closed and diversions are in place, but Thames Water will discuss plans to re-open the road with Transport for London (TfL).

Councillors have stressed that permanent traffic diversions cannot lead to further burden to existing rat runs such as Dumbarton and Lyham Road. We have also made clear that Thames Water need to do more to reduce the number and impact of burst pipes in Streatham and Brixton Hill. Today there have also burst pipes in Leigham Vale and St Julian’s Farm Road. This level of disruption is unacceptable and Thames Water need to address this urgently.

If residents have any queries please call Thames Water on 0800 3169800, quoting your address.  Lines are open 24 hours a day.  They are also available via Facebook or Twitter.