An energy company will start drilling under the Thames next month to install 300m of 33,000 volt electricity cable.

Drivers face up to five months disruption near Hampton Wick station when UK Power Networks put up temporary traffic lights, in Lower Teddington Road and Station Road, to allow its lorries to take rubble away from the site.

Engineers will use a specialist 100m long drill by the river at Hampton Wick and will lay an additional pipeline to enable future expansion.

UK Power Networks said the £720,000 project will replace an old power cable to ensure it can provide a reliable electricity supply to homes and businesses in the area.

The company will host a public session at Teddington Sports Centre to explain the details of its work between 5pm and 6.45pm on Monday.

It will also give a presentation about the project between 8.30pm and 9pm.

Barry Hatton, director of asset management for UK Power Networks, said: “While we replace this cable we are taking the opportunity to prepare for growth in the future by installing ducts for additional cables.

“We are using a horizontal drilling technique to install the new cables underneath the River Thames. There will also be excavations either side of the river to lay a total of 300 metres of cable and connect this to our existing electricity distribution network.”

Engineers will use machinery to bore a 100m drill under the river which will carry the new power cable. They will line the route with plastic pipes to pull it in to.

UK Power Networks carried out a similar project under the river at Twickenham into Orleans Park in 2008.

It will invest £360m this year in improving its network in London, the south east and the east of England.