The major road through Ham and Petersham will be dug up again – this time between mid-October and December – after being closed for the whole of August.

Traffic ‘chaos’ was caused in August when Petersham Road was closed to replace old metal pipes running under it with new ones.

The first of the works will take place on Sunday, October 9, and it will conclude on Friday, December 2.

Richmond Council said this time the work will be carried out independently by utility companies; and today said it was giving residents as much warning as possible.

Ward councillor Penny Frost said she was shocked to learn utility companies have ‘thrown a spanner into the works’ once again.

Cllr Frost said: “The Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside councillors were shocked to learn that despite the careful year-long planning that council officers and ourselves put into the August road closure of Petersham Road, the utility companies have yet again thrown a spanner in the works.

“Their refusal to forward plan will bring yet more misery for our local residents trying to get to work, and take their children to school.

“We insist that Richmond Council moves as speedily as possible to achieve lane rental for utility companies carrying out their repairs.

“This should make sure the companies plan more strategically and work more quickly."

Last time Petersham Road was closed - in August - it led to 'traffic chaos' as tailbacks spread back through Richmond Park.

Richmond Council’s member for highways, Peter Buckwell said: “Whereas we empathise with residents and users of the roads around Richmond Hill and Petersham over the news of yet more utility works in the area, these works are essential and most of it could not have been done at the same time as the closure of Petersham Road in August.”