UPDATE 16:45 A BURST water main has brought Queensbury to a standstill, flooded 20 properties and left homes without water.

Earlier this morning, an 18 inch major water main burst at Queensbury Roundabout - at the junction of Honeypot Lane and Charlton Road.A Three Valleys Water spokeswoman said the burst was repaired at 6am.

However, the build up in pressure caused two smaller pipes, 14 and six inches, to also burst.

About 20 properties - a mixture of homes and businesses - suffered flooding damage.

"We will be doing everything we can to get these people's homes and businesses sorted out as soon as possible," the spokeswoman said.

"Our priority is to make sure they are cared for."

The water company's flood team and loss adjustors are inspecting the damage.

By 4pm, some houses in the area were still without water.The spokeswoman said the damage could take several days to repair as a split in the 14 inch pipe needed a special fitting which had to be ordered.

Traffic chaos

The flooding caused traffic chaos throughout the area this morning.

A Harrow Council spokesman said: "The area is suffering with serious traffic problems as strategic routes have been closed."

A number of traffic diversions are in place:

  • Traffic is being diverted east along Cumberland Road, north along Turner Road, east along Camrose Avenue, North along the A5, West along Whitchurch Lane to Marsh Lane.
  • Camrose Avenue is Closed West bound at the junction on Turner Road.
  • Traffic is being diverted south along Turner Road, west along Cumberland Road to Honeypot Lane.
  • Traffic approaching Queensbury Circle from Honeypot Lane (Southbound ) and Streatfield Road can exit Queensbury Circle from all junctions except Charlton Avenue which is closed in both directions at the roundabout.
  • Charlton Road has been closed northbound at the Junction of Kenton Road and additionally at the junction of Kenmore Road except for access.
  • Bus routes 79, 114 ,N98 are diverted northbound.
  • Routes 140, 182, 258, 340, H18, and H19 are being diverted in both directions.

Morning run nightmare

Local mother Fwati Singh was forced to abandon her car half a mile from her home on Merlon Crescent, in north east Harrow.

It took her an hour to drop off her five-year-old child at Stanburn School - a journey which normally takes three minutes.

"I've had to abandon my car, otherwise it would've taken me 45 minutes to get from the end of my road to the my house," she said.

"I don't know what's going to happen.

"If it's still like this in the afternoon I will have to walk to school with my two younger children and it'll take about 45 minutes."

  • Updates to follow.
  • For live traffic feeds go to http://localinfo.harrowtimes.co.uk/li/traffic.in.Harrow
  • Were you stuck in traffic? Did you see the burst water main? Did your property suffer damage? Let us know by leaving a comment below or calling 01923 216 343. You can also email your photographs to plaw@london.newsquest.co.uk