Norbury commuters and motorists are facing slow journeys along the A23 this week as multi-site water utility works have triggered temporary signals and lane closures along major stretches of London Road.
Temporary Signals at St Helens Road
Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that temporary traffic signals have been deployed at the busy junction of London Road (A23) and St Helens Road. The works, which commenced at 3:00 AM on Thursday, 8 October 2026, are scheduled to remain in place until 10:00 AM on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
During peak hours, southbound queues have been reported stretching back as far as Norbury Crescent, significantly delaying local bus routes, including the heavily used 109 and 50 services.
Lane Restrictions near Norbury Court Road
Further compounding the delays along the corridor, Thames Water has implemented a northbound lane-one restriction near the junction of London Road and Norbury Court Road. These repair works began at 6:50 AM on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, and are also slated for completion on the afternoon of Tuesday, 13 October 2026 (expected by 3:59 PM).
Broader Infrastructure Pressure
The latest disruptions follow ongoing discussions between Croydon Mayor Jason Perry and Thames Water representatives regarding the borough's aging water infrastructure. Over the summer, multiple significant leaks drew public criticism, notably a severe burst pipe on Norbury Hill and an unresolved, long-running leak on Pollards Hill North that began in late August.
Mayor Perry has publicly pressed Thames Water to implement faster reactive repair protocols and broader infrastructure investments, particularly during seasonal periods of high demand.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time through the SW16 corridor or seek alternative routes where possible until the temporary signals and lane closures are cleared on Tuesday.