Roadworks threaten to halt capital

London is about to be hit by a wave of roadworks that could cause the worst gridlock it has ever seen.

Leaked documents reveal that Mayor Ken Livingstone's Transport for London (TfL) is rushing through two years' worth of schemes between now and February, when congestion charging starts. Borough engineers claim TfL plans to make life difficult for drivers in this way so that, when the charge comes into force,

they can remove the cones - making it seem that road-pricing has eased the chaos.

Existing roadworks mean drivers already find it almost impossible to make essential journeys they once took for granted, while other trips take twice as long as they are forced to divert to avoid dug-up roads.

Today, a Wandsworth council spokesman warned: "If you think it's bad now just wait until autumn. London will become a vast no-go area for people who rely on vehicles.

"But all the works are on TfL's own roads (TfL controls many major routes). They are not asking us; simply telling us. They're their roads and they can do what they like."

A large part of the new schemes - including a host of safety and pavement improvements - had been requested by inner-London councils for years. But councillors and officers contacted by the Evening Standard were united in condemnation of TfL for rushing through so many at once.

Details of the works are contained in explanatory maps sent by TfL to borough councils. The programme for Wandsworth is believed typical of the kind to be launched elsewhere in inner London over the next few months.

It covers a range of work, including "pedestrian facilities" at East Hill beginning on 1 November and lasting 20 weeks, pavement reconstruction in the centre of the borough starting on 1 September for 28 weeks, and several bus and junction schemes at Nine Elms. One expert said officials had given up hope of ever seeing many of the schemes come to fruition, and warned how cramming them into six months would have potentially disastrous results on traffic.

TfL denied that the roadworks were intended to make life difficult for drivers but admitted the documents were a "fair representation" of schemes that would be going ahead.

Wandsworth confirmed it had received its copy from TfL within the last fortnight and said it expected most, if not all, of the schemes to proceed "imminently" - plungingthe area into chaos. Lambeth said it expected the schemes on its TfL map to proceed within the next few weeks.

Andrew Sawdon, Lambeth's executive member for transport, said: "It will create even more difficulties for the capital, adding to those already seen at Vauxhall Cross. TfL seems to be carrying out works that are unnecessary."

Kathy Tracey, Wandsworth cabinet member for transport, said: "We are very worried about the implications of closing off so many key streets and junctions at one time; it can only mean misery for anyone who has to rely on a car.

"Why was there no consultation? If, as we believe, most other councils have received or will soon be getting similar plans, it's 'Watch out London'."

One senior transport planner said: "The amount of time TfL has left for most of these works is 25 per cent too generous; this is to make doubly sure that if the weather makes resurfacing difficult, they can still guarantee completion by the time congestion charging starts.

"But we also fully expect they will take their time over completing these works. Then, when the magic date for introducing congestion charging arrives, the work will miraculously disappear to make the new scheme look good."