Thames Water have apologised after residents expressed anger at delays to ongoing roadworks in Sheen Lane, after the collapse of a sewer.

Many have voiced frustration at Thames Water for failing to update the signage surrounding a diversion in place for traffic.

Signs in the road have displayed a diversion in Sheen Lane to be in place for two weeks, commencing October 25.

However, the diversion is still in place and has caused further traffic chaos and congestion on Upper Richmond Road and Lower Richmond Road.

Charlotte Aston, an East Sheen resident, said: "This part of south west London is notoriously difficult for traffic.

"The roadworks at North Sheen and Manor Road are causing further delays in and out of East Sheen, plus the roadworks at Kew Bridge in both directions and the planned works at White Hart Lane, one of the only other places you can cross the railway line."

According to Thames Water, the damaged sewer is approximately 2.5 meters below ground.

Some have been so irritated by the lack of communication between themselves and Thames Water that they have been in contact with East Sheen councillor Julia Cambridge.

Cllr Cambridge said: "People have been telling me they feel angry at disrupted and longer journeys, some feel that Hammersmith Bridge has already compounded traffic flow and this is another problem locals are shouldering.

"Since the work started I have been monitoring that the signage is displayed clearly and have alerted Thames Water about the high winds that affected the signs."

Thames Water said that it regularly updates the council on its progress on a weekly basis which is why there is no 'end date' issued to residents.

A Spokesperson from Thames Water said: “We’re sorry for the delays our work is causing.

"We’re repairing a collapsed sewer, but as there are so many other pipes and cables close to it, we’re having to dig through concrete by hand rather with machinery as we normally would, and this means the job is taking longer than first thought.

"Two of the pipes we’re digging around supply drinking water to a large number of homes, so we can’t risk damaging them.

"We’re also digging near a level crossing which adds further complications.

“We’re working 12 hours a day, seven days a week but at the moment don’t have a date for when we expect the work to finish as the sewer is badly damaged.

"We appreciate the ongoing road closure is frustrating for residents and drivers and can assure them we’ll have the road open as soon as we possibly can.”

The organisation has accepted that its signage is out of date and the spokesperson said it would be updated as soon as possible.