Forum Topic

Works on Brentford Bridge

The ongoing works on Brentford Bridge are a source of major irritation and frustration to local residents and those commuting through the area be it by public or private transport.Approximately half the times I travel over the bridge during the day, nobody seems to be on site and there does not appear to be any work going on.There are 3 questions we should all be asking Hounslow Council: 1)Why are there no signs or notices on London Road to allow local residents and commuters to know the nature of the engineering work?2) Why are there no signs or notices on London Road giving an estimated completion date for the work?3) On what basis does Hounslow Council grant contracts for this kind of engineering work? (A proven record of "working well with the local community" does not seem to be one of the criteria that this particular contractor was selected on.)As a local resident, if you feel dissatisfied with what is going on please contact Hounslow Council. Contact details below. Tel: 020 8583 2000 E-mail: information@hounslow.gov.ukWritten general enquiries should be addressed to:London Borough of HounslowCivic Centre,Lampton Road,Hounslow, Middlesex,TW3 4DN.

Michael Bonin ● 7046d10 Comments

I hear you brother!

Michael Bonin ● 7038d

Maybe not 24/7 working but at least there could be some attempt to get the job done as quickly as possible. Whenever I drive past there seems to be to be nobody working at the site or one bloke not doing much. When firms are contracted to do this sort of job aren't there any penalities for taking so long?

Andy Jones ● 7040d

AndrewAs Mark says the council would probably not allow 24 hour working due to the noise etc affecting local residents.The work on site appears to be getting carried out between the hours of 07.30/08.00 & 17.00. I think that they may be working Saturdays also.

Kevin Farnan ● 7043d

Mark, That's a fair point, although I imagine it is also frustrating having the tail back and pollution just outside your front door?  Do you know what times of day the job has been worked?Andrew

Andrew Dakers ● 7043d

Andrew, considering all the "New Brentford" residents in the development paying a minimum of £350,000 for their properties. And Holiday Inn residents paying £80 a night I dont think a 24 hour operation would be a going concern. I certainly would not like it....Just a thought.

Mark Welland ● 7043d

I agree entirely with you Andrew. Unfortunately "investment phobia" is a problem in the UK. I used to live in Tokyo where jobs like this were carried out on a 24hr basis and as a result finished in a quarter of the time.

Michael Bonin ● 7043d

What intrigues me with this project is whether they have worked on it 24/7.  When you consider the tail backs, pollution, impact on local trade etc surely it would be worth the extra investment to get the job done as quickly as possible?Andrew

Andrew Dakers ● 7044d

By the way, I actually live between the sign on Half Acre and the bridge which is why I didn't spot it. Coming from the East you can only really see the advance warning sign if you are coming straight down London Road from Kew Bridge and the bus I use goes up Half Acre. I really would have expected something closer to the site for the benefit of local residents & pedestrians.

Michael Bonin ● 7045d

Thanks for clarifying what the work on the bridge is for Kevin.Yes, I found the sign at the junction of Half Acre - I guess it's ok for approaching traffic but I was expecting something a bit closer to the site.Anyway, I don't think I'll be interrupting "the guys" to talk to them (assuming I could find one on site), I just want them to get on with the job and finish it as soon as possible.RegardsMike

Michael Bonin ● 7045d

MichaelWith regard to your questions:1)There are signs informing the public of these works, they were put up over Christmas informing everyone that these works would be starting on the 3rd of January.These signs are located on the London Road at Busch Corner & also at Brentford High Street/Half Acre.2)If you read the signs you will find out that the estimated duration of these works is around 10 weeks.3)The work is being carried out by a company called Barhale on behalf of Thames Water.They are replacing an existing 33inch Victorian water main which carries water from Hampton works in the west to the old Kew pumping station.The old main is being replaced by two new 500mm plastic mains which will increase the flow of water & eliminate the possibility of the main on the bridge breaking/leaking in future.One of the reasons why it takes so long is due to the congestion under the road surface with old gas/water mains, cable ducts, sewers etc.Although plans are available to give the positions of these it can only be clarified when you dig up the road & find that these pipes are in the way so alternative routes need to be found to enable the new pipework etc to be installed.There is also another problem here with the actual depth of the bridge from the road surface to the bottom, the existing main here is not round as it should be but it is rectangular to allow it to be under the surface.Hope that this clarifies a few points for you.I'm sure that if you popped down to site the guys there would be willing to show you this & answer any questions.

Kevin Farnan ● 7046d