Petersham Hole
The Petersham Hole was a sink hole caused by subsidence of a sewer which forced the total closure of the A307 road in Petersham in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in 1979–80. It caused long-term disruption to traffic in the surrounding area and significant direct and indirect costs.
Collapses
The affected area comprised elements of the culverted Sudbrook stream, a minor tributary of the Thames, with a catchment extending south to Kingston, and foul sewer serving much of the Petersham area including four nearby schools. The culvert dated from 1920–22 and the foul sewer from 1890.
An initial collapse occurred in June 1978 in a section of outfall pipe in River Lane (51°26′47″N 0°18′13″W / 51.446405°N 0.3036°W / 51.446405; -0.3036), off the main A307. The lane is prone to tidal flooding and the outfall is protected by a flap valve. The damage proved to be sufficiently extensive to justify a temporary repair and letting a contract for permanent replacement of a long section.
In February 1979, a further collapse occurred 100 metres upstream to the south, in the busy A307 carriageway. On excavation, an area of cracked pipe was found but, due to heavy rainfall and imminent spring tides, the damaged section was set into rapid-hardening concrete and the hole refilled. Subsequent video inspection indicated the pipework to be in reasonable condition. However, a few weeks later, at the end of March, a further collapse occurred at the same site and a large cavity was found.[1] It was clear that the whole section of sewer had to be replaced, and urgently.
Impact
The hole and subsequent repair work forced a total road closure of the main arterial route between Richmond and Kingston upon Thames. The impact was exacerbated by the narrowness of the road at and near the collapse site. Long diversions resulted via Twickenham to the west or Roehampton to the south-east causing additional congestion. Bus services 65 and 71 were forced to terminate either side of the hole and passengers and crew walk around the site to continue their journeys. To help relieve the transport pressure, exceptionally, nearby Richmond Park remained open to vehicular traffic overnight between Richmond, Ham, and Kingston gates. The park road was widened at Ham Cross near Ham Gate to accommodate temporary traffic lights to facilitate the additional traffic flow. This additional and unusual traffic resulted in the deaths of 84 deer in the park whilst the diversion was in operation.[2]
Reaction
Residents in the immediate area naturally complained at the disruption caused by the repairs and local traders noted a significant loss of trade. The additional displaced traffic also caused complaints. However, despite the predictable negative reactions, others appreciated the tranquillity resulting from the lack of usual traffic. The hole gained significant local notoriety. A local newspaper correspondent reported a sighting, whilst on holiday in Spain, of somebody wearing a T-shirt bearing the slogan "I've seen the Petersham Hole!".[3] The repairs and disruption lasted so long that a party was held around the hole to celebrate its first anniversary on 31 March 1980.[4][5]
Repair
The repair work involved not just the sewer but also connections into adjoining premises.[6] The 21 inches (530 mm) diameter culvert was replaced by 750 millimetres (30 in) and 900 millimetres (35 in) pipework. The 9 inches (230 mm) and 12 inches (300 mm) diameter foul sewer pipe was replaced with 300 millimetres (12 in) pipe. The opportunity was also taken to lay new water mains.[7] The pipe repairs and replacement in the narrow section of road were completed by 25 May 1980 and, once the covering road works were completed, the road was re-opened on Friday 5 September.[2]
Costs
Local residents directly affected near the site were granted a 20% reduction in their rates.[4] The initial cost of the repair contract was anticipated to be £1,155,000.[7] Total costs of the repairs were subsequently estimated at £2,235,000 and the indirect costs of traffic disruption a further £6,500,000.[8] Wasted man-hours were estimated to have cost £10,000,000.[9]
Legacy
The Petersham Hole has been cited subsequently in the House of Commons and elsewhere as evidence of the damage caused to roads by heavy lorries.[10]
See also
References
- ^ Probert, L. A.; Holmes, J. E. V.; Flemons, K. J. (January 1982). "Petersham Road, Richmond, sewer failure". Restoration of sewerage systems. Proceedings of a conference held on 22–24 June 1981. London: Institution of Civil Engineers. pp. 77–85. doi:10.1680/ross.01459.0012. ISBN 9780727749116. OCLC 794212056.
- ^ a b Richmond and Twickenham Times, 12 September 1980.
- ^ Richmond and Twickenham Times, 31 August 1979.
- ^ a b Richmond and Twickenham Times, 7 March 1980.
- ^ Mason, Deirdre (1985), "The Trenchless Revolution", New Scientist, 107: 33
- ^ Kimble, I., ed. (2003). "Celebrating our 95th Birthday" (PDF). Petersham and Ham Sea Scouts.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Morrell, Kim (18 October 1979), Petersham Hole, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (Information sheet)
- ^ Andrews, K.; Crosbie, R. A.; Fawell, J. K.; Foster, V.; Glennie, E. B.; Jackson, P. J.; Jenkins, H.; Lacey, R. F.; Miller, S.; Smale, R.; Young, W. (October 1997). "Cost Benefit Analysis of Reducing Lead in Drinking Water" (PDF). Drinking Water Inspectorate. p. 71.
- ^ Read, Geoffrey F. (24 December 1996). "The Problems of Sewerage Dereliction". In Read, Geoffrey F; Vickridge, Ian (eds.). Sewers: Repair and Renovation: Repair and Renovation. Vol. 1. Butterworth-Heinemann. p. 41. ISBN 9780340544723.
- ^ "Heavy Lorries". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Commons. 24 June 1982. col. 509–510.
External links
- Archive film: Petersham Hole (1980), Richmond Transport (1992) (8mm). Petersham, London. 1980. Related content in initial 2 minutes. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- Flickr photographs:
- Bus awaiting transfer passengers on the south side of the Petersham Hole
- Transfer passengers wait for bus to turn south of the Petersham Hole
- Buses queued on the north side of the Petersham Hole
- Buses queued on the north side of the Petersham Hole outside the Dysart Arms
- Buses turning north of the Petersham Hole.
- v
- t
- e
- Barnes
- Barnes Bridge
- Fulwell
- Hampton
- Hampton Wick
- Kew Gardens
- Mortlake
- North Sheen
- Richmond
- St Margarets
- Strawberry Hill
- Teddington
- Twickenham
- Whitton
and river services
- Beverley Brook
- River Crane
- Duke of Northumberland's River
- Longford River
- Sudbrook and Latchmere stream
- River Thames
- Athletic Ground, Richmond
- Barn Elms playing fields
- The Championship Course
- Cricket clubs and grounds
- Golf clubs and courses
- Hampton Pool
- The Lensbury
- Pools on the Park
- Royal Tennis Court, Hampton Court
- Teddington Pools and Fitness Centre
- Thames Young Mariners
- Twickenham Stadium
- Twickenham Stoop
- former Ranelagh Club
- former Richmond Ice Rink
- Britannia, Richmond
- The Bull's Head, Barnes
- The Crown, Twickenham
- Dysart Arms, Petersham
- The Fox, Twickenham
- The George, Twickenham
- Hare and Hounds, East Sheen
- Jolly Coopers, Hampton
- Old Ship, Richmond
- Park Hotel, Teddington
- Richmond Brewery Stores
- Sun Inn, Barnes
- Twickenham Fine Ales
- Watney Combe & Reid
- White Cross, Richmond
- The White Swan, Twickenham
and music venues
- The Bull's Head
- Crawdaddy Club
- The Exchange
- Olympic Studios
- Orange Tree Theatre
- OSO Arts Centre
- Puppet Theatre Barge
- Richmond Theatre
- TwickFolk
- Wathen Hall
- former Eel Pie Island Hotel
- former Richmond Theatre (1765–1884|
- Richmond and Twickenham Times
- former Gaydar Radio
- former Hogarth Press
of interest
- 123 Mortlake High Street
- 14 The Terrace, Barnes
- 18 Station Road, Barnes
- 70 Barnes High Street
- Asgill House
- Barnes power station
- Brinsworth House
- Bushy House
- Chapel House
- Chapel in the Wood
- Clarence House
- Doughty House
- Douglas House
- Downe House
- East Sheen Filling Station
- Fulwell bus garage
- Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare
- Garrick's Villa
- Grove House, Hampton
- Halford House
- Ham House
- Hampton Water Treatment Works
- Hampton Youth Project
- Harrods Furniture Depository
- Hogarth House
- The Homestead
- Hotham House
- Kew Mortuary
- King's Observatory
- Kneller Hall
- Langham House
- Langham House Close
- Latchmere House
- Lichfield Court
- Marble Hill House
- Montrose House
- National Physical Laboratory
- Normansfield Theatre
- The Old Court House
- Old Town Hall, Richmond
- Ormeley Lodge
- Parkleys
- The Pavilion
- Pembroke Lodge
- Pope's Grotto
- Poppy Factory
- Royal Military School of Music
- Royal Star and Garter Home
- St Leonard's Court
- Strawberry Hill House
- Stud House
- Sudbrook House and Park
- Thatched House Lodge
- University Boat Race Stones
- Victoria Working Men's Club
- West Hall
- White Lodge
- The Wick
- Wick House
- Yelverton Lodge
- York House
- former Admiralty Research Laboratory
- former Alcott House
- former Camp Griffiss
- former Cardigan House
- former Cross Deep House
- former The Karsino
- former Mortlake Tapestry Works
- former Mount Ararat
- former Pope's villa
- former Radnor House
- former Richmond House
- former Richmond Lodge
- former Richmond Theological College
- former Sheen Priory
- former Star and Garter Hotel
- former Twickenham Park
- Adana Printing Machines
- Ashe baronets
- Cook baronets of Doughty House
- Darell baronets, of Richmond Hill
- GHQ Liaison Regiment (Phantom)
- Hampton Court Conference
- Kew Letters
- Petersham Hole
- Pocock baronets
- Richmond Flyers
- Richmond, Petersham and Ham Open Spaces Act 1902
- Treaty of Hampton Court (1562)
- Vandeput baronets
- Warren-Lambert
- Wigan baronets
- Richmond Park
- Twickenham
- former Richmond and Barnes
- former Richmond (Surrey)