Thames still investigating who blocked the main sewer on Wembley High Road

A Thames Water spokesman said today regarding the sewer works on Wembley High Road:

The removal of the concrete in the sewer is more complicated than first thought, and we’ve had to extend our finish date to allow us to remove it entirely. We’re still investigating the cause of the blockage and who poured it down there, and we’ll be taking further action once we know who it is.

The spokesman confirmed that Thames have extended their permit for the sewer works on the High Road until December 22nd.

If it wasn't Henley, who is responsible for High Road main sewer blockage?

I am awaiting a response from Thames Water on whether their investigations to find the culprit responsible for the concrete blockage in Wembley High Road have made any progress. Henley, who are developing the Brent House site, last week denied responsibility. LINK

I understand that contractors have now dug down 6.5 metres with another metre to go before they hit the sewer. Work is expected to be completed within the month.

A resident reports that Brent Council can expect an increase in revenue with its Smart CCTV car catching motorists going the wrong way through Ecclestone Place's one way system.

Meanwhile a shopkeeper opposite the works told me that his takings were down 50% as a result of the road closure and works.

Concrete sewer blockage not our fault say Henley Homes

Contrary to what an informant working at the Wembley High Road site told a Wembley resident LINK Henley Homes gave me the following statement today:

As you are aware Thames Water are currently investigating the source of the concrete in the sewer and will advise in due course.

We can confirm, following our investigations, that Henley are not responsible for the alleged blockage of the main drains near the previous Brent House office building on Wembley High Road.

Henley Homes are the developer of the former Brent House site.

UPDATE Henley Homes deny they are responsible for concrete sewer blockage causing chaos in Wembley

Wembley High Road outside the former Brent House site today

UPDATE: HENLEY HOMES HAVE DENIED THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BLOCKAGE LINK

A local resident writes:

Well road closures commenced this morning. After some interrogation I found out that it is allegedly due to Henley Homes and Genesis  Housing, developers of old Brent House site.  Apparently when piling they drilled through a feeder sewer so when they filled with concrete it ran into the main sewer and that has what has caused the blockage.  The main sewer is 7.5 metres down and blocked solid.

On top are three water mains, electrics, gas, telecom, fibre optic.  At the moment they have no idea what they will find as they have just taken up the island created and paid for by Olympic money that had 5 little trees, which have sadly lost their lives.

The reliable source said he anticipated it would take at least sixweeks! (two more than quoted by council) but would not be able to give accurate dates as they have no idea what they will find and what infrastructure may cause them problems until they start digging.

Hey 7.5 metres is a long way down, and then they will have to tunnel through the concrete.  He did say it might whiff a bit when they get close. Urgh!

Huge problems on High Road traffic, as Ecclestone Place should only be accessible from Wembley Hill Road, and exit via High Road going West.  This was in order to stop it becoming a "rat run" early days but clearly there are a number of drivers who cannot read signs.

It is clear that TFL have not been so pro-active in closing bus stops and informing locals of the changes.  The main bus stop on high road outside KFC was showing diversions on LED display at the stop, but no signs saying 'bus stop closed' at 4pm today.

I would like to see the bill Henleys are going to get from Thames Water if they are responsible. Shop keepers, especially opposite Brent House are extremely upset by the disruption - no customers.  The local newsagent told me at 5pm today he had no customers to charge their Oysters or buy drinks/chocolate etc, no school children, and only made £100 by 5pm.  He wanted to know how he would be compensated.  I told him I had no idea whatsoever. Do any readers?

Wembley Matters has contacted Henley Homes asking them to confirm their responsibility for the sewer blockage.

Avoid Wembley during November! Deep excavation works will close High Road east bound and have severe impact on wider area

Hot on the heels of my story about concrete blocking the main sewer in Wembley High Road LINK  comes a warning about major works resulting from the blockage circulated by Rubie Charalambous, Wembley and Ealing Road Town Centre Manager.

Click on image to enlarge

URGENT WORKS -High Road, Wembley - Blocked Sewer - Eastbound Road Closure 2/11/17 to 30/11/17

The Sewer on High Road, Wembley is blocked near the junction of Ecclestone Place and unfortunately deep excavation works are required to rectify the problem. 

High Road, Wembley will be closed to eastbound traffic from the junction of Park Lane. Traffic will be diverted via Park Lane and Wembley Hill Road, a signed diversion will be in place for the duration of the works.

Westbound traffic will continue to use High Road, Wembley as normal.

The impact to the road network in the Wembley area is expected to be severe, especially in peak times. Where possible please avoid the area.

Unfortunately this period coincides with a number of events at Wembley Stadium although Spur's Real Madrid fixture at 90,000 capacity just squeezes in the day before the works start:
 

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Wednesday  1/11/2017     19.45  Tottenham Hotspur v Real Madrid (UEFA Group Stage)

Sunday         05/11/2017   12:00 Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace

Friday           10/11/2017   20.00  England v Germany (Friendly)

Tuesday        14/11/2017   20.00  England v Brazil (Friendly)

Saturday        25/11/2017   15:00 Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion