SOUTH Norwood is facing more motoring misery, with roadworks set to continue for at least four months.

Traffic tailbacks and temporary traffic lights have become a familiar sight in the area.

Victorian water mains are being replaced in South Norwood High Street, between Station Road and Goat House Bridge, with work due to be completed by May 31.

Thames Water will then move onto Lancaster Road in South Norwood.

And gasworks at the junction of Davidson Road and Tennison Road are scheduled to finish "in the summer".

Traders along the High Street – which is currently one-way – have expressed their concerns.

Mumtaz Hassan, 36, owner of Kings Dry Cleaners, said: "It's the planning of doing so many roadworks at the same time.

"There doesn't appear any thinking behind it and it brings the whole area to a standstill."

Reggie Fianko, 34, manager of coffee shop Number 10, said: "I was speaking to the boss and he said people are avoiding the (South) Norwood area.

"News of all the upheaval spreads far."

Richard Hough, who runs car repair garage Autoclutch, near Norwood Junction Station, says the area has been left gridlocked at times since the works started.

He said: "The guys are working as fast as they can and they're very professional – they're not rude or arrogant. But the road should be worked on 24 hours a day – this can be done in the hours of darkness as well. At the end of the day it's a high street."

Thames Water said the £3.6 million replacement of more than four miles of worn-out Victorian water mains in Croydon started in March last year.

Referring to South Norwood High Street, Becky Johnson, spokeswoman for Thames Water, explained: "We notified residents, shopkeepers and road users prior to starting this work.

"We are working seven days a week in order to minimise the duration of these works.

"Replacing old and leaking mains is essential as our water resources come under increasing pressure from climate change and population growth.

"Ideally we wouldn't have to do this work at all but the fact is Croydon's water pipes are old and leaky and need replacing."

The company apologised for the "inevitable disruption".

Referring to the works at Tennison Road and Davidson Road, Laura Varney, spokeswoman for Southern Gas Networks, said the company had been working in close consultation with the council on the planning of the works.

She added: "We would ask that the public has patience while we carry out this vital work."

Cround Council has defended both sets of roadworks taking place in South Norwood at the same time.

A spokesman for the council said: "These two sets of works are relating to replacement of the Victorian water mains and a gas main, both of which are essential for maintaining the infrastructure, and reducing the risk of either water or gas escape.

"The works have been co-ordinated with the council and neither of the diversions overlap.

"While these works are undertaken, the works at the other end of Davidson Road and Lower Addiscombe Road will be suspended until completed."

Meanwhile, as of Monday, the junction of Davidson Road and Tennison Road is closed for ten days. Diversions will be put in place.