The roadworks that have closed the Hill Street route into Richmond town centre from Twickenham and Petersham will take longer to complete than originally expected.

The work, which involves repairs to a water main by Thames Water, started on March 1 and was originally predicted to take three weeks.

That completion date was then extended to March 27 and it has now been pushed back to April 4.

The reason is unknown, however Thames Water has a poor record of tackling leaks and completing repairs in good time in order to minimise disruption to residents.

It has been fined some 350 times – a total of more than £200,000 - by the Council over the past four years for failing to complete works on schedule.

The road closure on what is a major route into Richmond town centre from Twickenham and Petersham has caused jams and forced traffic, including buses, to take a series of long diversions.

The work, which involves repairs to a water main by Thames Water, started on March 1 and was originally predicted to take three weeks. Credit: TMS.

This will have hit trade for businesses in the town centre, while it has also made it difficult for residents to get to the overground and underground services at Richmond station.

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Richmond Council revealed the delay, saying: "Hill Street in central Richmond has been closed in a northbound direction, between Richmond Bridge and Water Lane, since Wednesday, March 1. Roadworks are expected to end on Tuesday, April 4.

'Until 4 April, there will continue to be no access to Richmond town centre for traffic coming across Richmond Bridge and from Petersham.

'The closure is due to Thames Water carrying out an emergency repair to a leak.'

Traffic travelling in the opposite direction – out of the town centre towards Richmond Bridge and Petersham - is unaffected.