Cars were stuck in “traffic chaos” on Thursday morning after a burst water main flooded a busy road in Northwood Hills overnight.
The 5in water main burst on Pinner Road at around 10pm on Wednesday night with one witness saying the road resembled a river.
The water main, belonging to Affinity Water, led to the road’s closure. It is expected to reopen on Thursday afternoon.
Sharon Whitmarsh was returning home to Northwood from work in central London at around 11.30pm on Wednesday when she saw water pouring down the road.
She told getwestlondon: “The water was gushing out from the pavement.
“It was just outside Northwood Hills library and pushing its way through the pavement. Water was all the way down the road and it looked like a river running.
“It’s such a waste of water and a real shame.”
Affinity apologised for the inconvenience caused and blamed a burst 5in water main.
A spokesman said: “Affinity Water technicians have now repaired the main and work has begun to repair a lane on Pinner Road, which was damaged as a result of the burst.
“We expect the road to be open by this afternoon and would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst we carry out these repairs.”
The library was unaffected and open as usual on Thursday morning, and was used by former councillor Andrew Retter.
He said the repair work had been completed by 6.30am and that the road remained closed. However, workmen had left the scene and no-one from the council or Affinity Water remained to help those stuck in the traffic.
He said: “It looks like they’ve repaired the road but it’s absolute traffic chaos down there.
“Everyone has gone away. They’ve just left a barrier up with road closed and diversion.
“There’s no-one there to explain anything to anyone there. I find that phenomenal.
“I saw drivers getting annoyed and I could understand why they were becoming annoyed.”
Pinner Road eastbound was reopened at around 2pm.
Transport for London has confirmed bus routes 875 and H11 are on diversion as a result.
Have you been affected by this? E-mail us your pictures at alix.culbertson@trinitymirror.com or tweet @getwestlondon
