Shopkeepers in a street plagued by water main leaks are calling for replacement pipes to be made a priority after another burst led to yet another road closure.
But utility company Thames Water has been slammed as “callous” after saying its pledge to fix them was dependent on the regulator giving the go-ahead.
This paper reported in March that there had been 118 days of roadworks in Crouch Hill since 2015, with the street closed for 88 days.
The road was again closed to traffic last Thursday for repairs to an underground pipe and is due to reopen tomorrow – a day earlier than predicted.
When Liberal Democrat councillor Luke Cawley Harrison and Crouch End Traders' Association chair Lewis Freeman met Thames Water representatives in March the water company pledged to investigate and agreed that Crouch Hill could be considered for their 2026-30 major works programme.
It now says is exploring using pressure monitors to spot leaks and that it might replace the pipe in its next round of investment from April 2025.
But former Crouch End councillor David Winskill says any guarantees of future funding would depend on price caps determined by regulator Ofwat.
He said: "This is the latest in a string of failures that stretch back over a decade.
"It is only a few weeks since they dug up the Tarmac and last caused traffic chaos fixing a leak.”
He added: "Their promises are all conditional, there are no guarantees and to say a condition is waiting for a thumbs-up from Ofwat to increase prices is just callous."
Mr Freeman, who runs Dunn's Bakery in the Broadway, called for a long-term solution and a timescale.
He said: "Despite the efforts of Cllr Cawley-Harrison and the Crouch End Traders, Thames Water are yet to give a guarantee this water main will be modernised, and without that I fear disruption will continue to affect businesses and Crouch End residents .”
He added: "When and if they do replace this main, we'll have to bake a cake for the occasion."
Cllr Luke Cawley-Harrison said it was "very frustrating".
He added: "It must surely be the most frequently repaired road in Haringey by now.
"I hope Thames stands by this commitment and this is the final leak we see on Crouch Hill.”
A Thames Water spokesperson said the repair was now complete and the road was expected to open tomorrow (Tuesday June 25).
A diversion is in place from Crouch End Hill, towards Hanley Road, then back up into Crouch Hill, as there is no entry to Christchurch Road from Crouch End Hill.
They said: “We’re very sorry to local residents, businesses and motorists for any disruption caused.
"Due to the history of bursts at this location, and the impact this has had on the local community, this section of pipe is being carefully considered for replacement in our next investment cycle which starts in April 2025, however, this is subject to future funding and final determination from Ofwat later this year.”
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