Traders face chaos from sewer work

Swathes of central London face eight months of chaos when a £6.5million flood relief scheme gets under way next month.

Some traders fear for their livelihoods and experts predict major traffic jams as Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill is dug up by Thames Water so a new sewer can be laid.

Floods have swamped the area three times in the past six years, the last time in July.

The key route will be closed to vehicles at three locations - east of Queensway, west of Queensway and west of Garway Road - until August.

Westminster council, Transport for London and Thames Water said they would introduce measures to ensure local traffic and bus services faced as little disruption as possible.

Traders along the street have already seen the steepest increase in rents in Britain over the past decade. A spokesman for Tom's Deli said the roadworks would be a further burden on retailers. "We've already suffered with the congestion charge as people who shop here tend to drive," he said.

But Salman Khan, owner of Khan's Restaurant, said: "It is a great relief this work is taking place. I and other businesses have been affected on numerous occasions by sewage flowing into our properties."

Steve Lousley of Thames Water said: "Sewer flooding is unpleasant and distressing. It's vital we make these improvements."