There was virtual gridlock around many local roads on Wednesday morning (Nov 27) after a section of Thomas Lewis Way was closed in both directions following flooding.
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A worker tries to unblock Thomas Lewis Way on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: L.Weedy
It occurred between St Denys Road and Horseshoe Bridge - an area that frequently floods during wet weather.
The result was very slow moving traffic on St Denys Road, already hampered by ongoing works on the railway bridge by the Thomas Lewis Way junction, and into Portswood, as drivers hunted for a route into town.
Photo: L Weedy
Many diverted down Belmont Road, which itself became blocked, and jams were reported on secondary routes including Woodmill Lane and even Bond Road.
Other city roads affected by flooding included parts of West Quay Road, Northam Road, Millbrook Road West, Hinkler Road and Burgess Road.
Writing on our Facebook page about the local traffic, Chris Zardis said: "All alternative routes are a nightmare, you'd be quicker walking if you can. Seen buses stuck in an attempt to go on back roads too."
It’s been flooding there for years! SORT IT OUT ????????????????
— Mike White (@juniorinbkk) November 27, 2024
Others, referencing upcoming plans for Portswood, were pleased that the district centre is "still open" for traffic to take as an alternative, although it was pointed out that "SCC has always said that traffic could still be routed via Portswood High Street after the scheme in circumstances like this. It's only a bus gate, not pedestrianisation."
The section of Thomas Lewis Way still appeared to be closed at the time of writing, on Wednesday afternoon.
On what was Twitter, Mike White wrote: "It’s been flooding there for years! SORT IT OUT".
Railway tracks were also flooded causing trains to slow to 10mph. Photo: L Weedy
Writing on social media about previous flooding, Portswood Cllr John Savage said that the water system was unable to deal with such situations.
"The capacity of the system to cope with the combined problem of increased rainfall and increased run-off (due to increased building and concrete coverage of surface space) means that the flap-trap pipework that prevents ingress of river water at high tides isn't sufficient to cope with the needs of the city," he said in April.