Residents and commuters have raised concerns over weeks of disruption caused by utility works on Victoria Road in North Acton, citing severe delays, traffic restrictions, dangerous driving and uncertainty over how long the works will continue.
Locals have told EALING.NEWS it can now take up to half an hour to travel a stretch of road that would normally take just a few minutes, with residents also reporting dangerous driving as some motorists attempt to bypass queues by overtaking and driving on the wrong side of the road.
Residents say bus stop closures on Victoria Road are adding to the disruption, while some motorists have been seen overtaking and using the opposite lane to bypass traffic, creating potential safety risks for other road users.
UK Power Networks and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) are carrying out separate utility works in the area, which have been ongoing since the end of May 2026. Both companies say the work is needed to strengthen their electricity networks, but residents say days can go by without seeing any obvious work being carried out and want clearer information about how much longer the disruption will continue.
One resident told EALING.NEWS: “I now have to leave at least 20 to 25 minutes earlier than I used to just to make sure I can get through Victoria Road and on to the A40.
“Coming back is just as frustrating. I can come off the A40 and be at the top of the road, but it can still take another 20 to 30 minutes just to get home.”
Another resident told EALING.NEWS: “With bus stops out of action, it is making life difficult for me and my neighbours, especially when carrying heavy shopping. For people with mobility issues or who find walking difficult, it is having a real impact on their daily lives.”
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, a local worker in the area said they were concerned about the driving behaviour of some motorists near the bridge on Victoria Road.
“I’m fearful when I get close to the bridge on Victoria Road because drivers are erratically overtaking cars caught up in traffic and driving on the wrong side of the road to get ahead of them. It feels increasingly dangerous for pedestrians, and I worry that a vehicle could end up mounting the pavement if someone loses control.”
The works are taking place in an area that has already seen significant disruption from HS2 construction activity in recent years. While the current utility works are separate projects being carried out for SSEN and UK Power Networks rather than HS2, they add to a long period of construction-related disruption in North Acton.
SSEN’s works in Victoria Road began on 28 May 2026 and are scheduled to continue until 11 July 2026, while a UK Power Networks permit for Victoria Road runs from 25 May 2026 until 25 September 2026.
Both companies said the works are needed to upgrade and strengthen their electricity networks. However, with disruption now stretching well into its second month and one permit remaining in place until late September, residents and commuters say they want clearer information about how much longer the delays, traffic restrictions and bus stop closures are likely to remain.
EALING.NEWS asked UK Power Networks whether the project is expected to continue until September, but the company did not confirm an expected completion date.
A UK Power Networks spokesperson told EALING.NEWS: “We apologise for the impact on the community in Victoria Road while we carry out cable installation works.
“Traffic management has been granted by the local authority and we are liaising closely with our partners and their traffic management contractors to investigate and improve the site.
“Our work is taking place within enclosed areas, meaning activity may not always be visible, however, our teams are regularly on site carrying out complex and large-scale work to install and connect the cables safely.”
A Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks spokesperson told EALING.NEWS: “Our contract partner Clancy is delivering essential network upgrades to the network in this area on our behalf. These, when completed, will provide an even more reliable and resilient network for local homes and businesses, which will also deliver more electricity capacity when people need it.
“Work has had to progress in a more delicate manner of late owing to a bridge in the area, and the nature of the road surface that’s being worked on. Now this section has been completed, the speed of works will increase once more.
“We thank local residents and road users for their patience and understanding while we deliver these works on their behalf as safely and as quickly as we can. We know the presence of traffic management measures can add to journey times, but these are there to ensure the safety of our workers and all road users. We ask that drivers adhere to the rules of the road while navigating this section.”
