Month-long gas mains works under a major road in Petersham began this week and has already caused traffic ‘chaos’ as cars are backed up in long tailbacks through Richmond Park.

The work by National Grid to replace old metal pipes has necessitated the closure of Petersham Road between junctions with Star and Garter Hill and Manor Farm House.

It was closed on Monday, August 1 and will re-open on Sunday, September 4.

Residents and business owners expressed concern over disruption, despite project engineer Phil Walden saying National Grid would try to minimise this.

Motorists can travel from Ham to Richmond through Richmond Park, in which the speed limit is 20 miles per hour, it is closed for cars outside of daylight hours, meaning drivers have to detour through Kingston.

While managers from the nearby Petersham Nurseries and Ham Polo Club said there is still full road access to their premises, they would be ‘monitoring the situation’.

Ham Polo club manager Robert Allton said he feared the need to take detours could both discourage visitors and drive up taxi fares for those who do travel to the polo grounds.

Mr Allton said: “August is a busy month for us; we have a lot of events and tournaments on. But I understand there’s never a good time to close a road.

“The first day it was closed the traffic was particularly chaotic.”

“And obviously I understand they had to do it during the school holidays. Schools take precedence over businesses.

“I’m not overly-enamoured with this. It’s possible detours via Kingston will affect taxi fares.

“But we have to get on with it and we are very much open for business.

“It’s not ideal but we will endeavour to meet the challenges and get people in and out safely.”

He said he would also be in contact with National Grid, who he described as ‘very accommodating’, regarding a compensation scheme for small businesses.

National Grid project engineer Phil Walden said: “Our work to replace the ageing gas mains with tough new pipes we’ll help make sure local people can keep on enjoying safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking and heating.

“We carefully planned our work in close discussion with the local council and other agencies to make sure it’s delivered with as little disruption as possible.”