Water supplies are flowing again after a “massive” burst main has cut off supplies to thousands of homes across swathes in west London.
The incident near Holland Park Roundabout flooded a number of streets, where residents were rescued from properties overnight into Wednesday.
Cars were submerged in water as Thames Water engineers battled to fix the problem.
In an update at 7.30am on Thursday, Thames Water said: “Our teams have been working through the night on repairs to the damaged pipe and continue to make progress. Water supply is now flowing for all customers, however some may still experience low water pressure while work continues and the network stabilises.
“Customers in high-rise buildings, particularly on upper floors, may notice lower pressure at busier times of the day.”
Follow the latest updates below...
Key Points
- 'The whole bottom floor is flooded' Residents tell of devastation to properties
- Firefighters rescue people in inflatable boat
- Schools closed as they are left without water
- Latest Thames Water statement
- Full list of postcodes affected
Thames water update - repair works set to launch
10:49 , Megan HoweIn an update, Thames Water has said it is waiting for ground surveys to take place before it starts essential works to repair the burst water main in Holland Park.
Once surveys are complete, teams will then carry out some tree removal in the area before beginning excavation.
“We’re working to progress this as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety of our teams and the public,” they said in a statement.
“Water supply is currently flowing for customers, however some may still experience low water pressure while work continues and the network stabilises.
“Customers in high-rise buildings, particularly on upper floors, may notice lower pressure at busier times of the day.”
Teams remain on site in Holland Park today
08:03 , Megan HoweTeams from Thames Water will remain on site in Holland Park today to carry out safety checks.
Anyone in need of additional support has been advised to contact Priority Services Register.
“We’re sorry for the ongoing disruption and thank customers for their continued patience and support,” Thames Water has said.
Another update is expected before 12.30pm.
Thames Water update - water supply restored
07:44 , Megan HoweIn an updated at 7.30am, Thames Water has said the water supply has now been restored for all affected households.
Some residents, however, may still experience low water pressure while work continues.
“Our teams remain on site to complete the repair safely and carry out further checks. We’ll continue to monitor the situation closely,” the statement added.
Full list of postcodes affected
07:22 , Megan HoweHere is a full list of postcodes affected by the burst water main as of 7am this morning:
•W1C - Oxford Street (west)
•W1F - Soho (north west)
•W1G - Harley Street
•W1H - Marylebone
•W1K - Mayfair (north), Grosvenor Square
•W1S - Mayfair (east), Hanover Square
•W1T - Fitzrovia, Tottenham Court Road
•W1U - Marylebone
•W1W - East Marylebone, Great Portland Street
•W1 - Fitzrovia, Soho, Marylebone and Mayfair
•W2 - Paddington district
•W3 - Acton district
•W4 - Chiswick district
•W6 - Hammersmith district
•W8 - Kensington district
• W9 - Maida Hill district
•W10 - North Kensington district
•W11 - Notting Hill district
•W12 - Shepherd’s Bush district
•W14 - West Kensington district
What is the situation like this morning?
07:04 , Megan HoweWest London is waking up to a second day of disruption, after a burst water main submerged affluent streets and cut off supplies to thousands of homes yesterday.
The incident near Holland Park Roundabout flooded a number of streets, where residents were rescued from properties overnight.
As of 7am, thousands of residents will have low water pressure or not water at all.
Thames Water’s customer hub will open at 10am at Hilton London Kensington, Holland Park Avenue, London, W11 4U, for all those affected.
An update is expected at 8am.
Thames Water apologises for ongoing disruption
06:52 , Megan HoweIn a statement last night, Thames Water apologised to thousands of Londoners who have been affected by a burst water main in Holland Park.
The water company said customers may still notice low water pressure, while others in high-rise buildings may notice they have no water during busy times of the day.
“We’re sorry for the ongoing disruption. Our teams will stay on site overnight to carry out checks and plan the safest way to start the repair. This is a large burst pipe and a complex repair, so it needs to be done carefully and safely,” the statement read.
A Thames Water update is expected at 8am this morning.
Further updates to follow.
Council leader: 'We will investigate why flooding happened so quickly'
Wednesday 21 January 2026 17:05 , Matt WattsElizabeth Campbell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, has said the local authority will look into why the area “flooded so quickly and with such devastating consequences”.
The area around the Holland Park roundabout was submerged in water up to 3ft (1m) deep when the water main burst, while nearby homes were flooded and cars submerged.
Ms Campbell told the BBC:: "It is important we understand why an area was flooded so quickly and with such devastating consequences for residents, especially when the council has made several representations to organisations in the area about providing flood defences.
"We will be speaking to all authorities involved over the coming days."
New Thames Water statement
Wednesday 21 January 2026 15:31 , Tom PlaceHere is the latest statement from Thames Water:
“We’re sorry for the ongoing disruption.
“Following further investigation we can confirm this is still related to the original burst pipe near Holland Park roundabout, W11. There is no evidence of a new burst at this time.
“Our engineers remain on site and have currently managed to isolate our water main to bring the situation under control. Traffic management measures remain in place to keep everyone safe.
“We know some customers are still experiencing issues and we’re doing everything we can to restore supplies as soon as possible. Other customers may notice reduced water pressure while this work continues.
“If you’ve been directly affected by flooding, our customer hub is open until 18:00 at Hilton London Kensington, Holland Park Avenue, London, W11 4UL . Alternatively, please call us on 0800 316 9800 so we can provide further support.”
Which areas are still affected?
Wednesday 21 January 2026 15:02 , Tom PlaceHere is a full list of all the areas still affected by the floods and outages:
- W1C - Oxford Street (west)
- W1F - Soho (north west)
- W1G - Harley Street
- W1H - Marylebone
- W1K - Mayfair (north), Grosvenor Square
- W1S - Mayfair (east), Hanover Square
- W1T - Fitzrovia, Tottenham Court Road
- W1U - Marylebone
- W1W - East Marylebone, Great Portland Street
- W2 - Paddington district
- W3 - Acton district
- W4 - Chiswick district
- W6 - Hammersmith district
- W8 - Kensington district
- W9 - Maida Hill district
- W10 - North Kensington district
- W11 - Notting Hill district
- W12 - Shepherd’s Bush district
- W14 - West Kensington district
Burst main caused spill of '600 litres a second'
Wednesday 21 January 2026 14:54 , Tom PlaceThe water director for Thames Water has revealed just how much water was leaking when the pipe burst around 2am this morning.
Martin Padley told BBC London earlier: "We think about 600 litres a second was leaving the hole – a huge amount of water that has unfortunately led to flooding."
Leak still not under control
Wednesday 21 January 2026 14:08 , Tom PlaceA photo taken by a Standard reporter on site today shows water gushing onto the road near the site of the leak near Holland Park.
Thames Water statement
Wednesday 21 January 2026 13:48 , Tom PlaceThames Water have issued another statement, in which they confirm the fresh flooding was not the result of a new burst.
The statement reads: “Following further investigation, we can confirm that the flooding identified earlier is linked to the original burst water pipe near Holland Park roundabout (W11) and is not the result of a new burst.
“Our teams are on site and are working to control the leak and manage the situation safely. We continue to work closely with the emergency services, and traffic controls remain in place to protect the public.
“We know some customers are still experiencing issues and we’re working to restore services as quickly as possible. Others may notice lower water pressure initially, but this should improve as pressure builds in the pipes.
“While this work is carried out, customers in the following postcodes may experience low pressure or no water: W1H, W4, W6, W8, W11, W12, W13 and W14.
“If you’ve been directly affected by flooding, please call us on 0800 316 9800 so we can offer you further support.”
The next Thames Water statement is due by 3.30pm.
Water main bursts again - Video
Wednesday 21 January 2026 12:37 , Tom PlaceLatest from Thames Water
Wednesday 21 January 2026 12:20 , Tom PlaceHere is the latest statement from Thames Water:
“Our teams are responding to a large burst water pipe near Holland Park roundabout (W11). The damaged pipe has been isolated and the original flooding has been stopped.
“However, we’ve since been made aware of additional flooding on Lorne Gardens, which appears to be related. Our teams are on site and responding to this now to bring the situation under control.
“We know some customers are still experiencing issues and we’re working to restore services as quickly as possible. Others may notice lower water pressure initially, but this should improve as pressure builds in the pipes.
“We’re working closely with the emergency services to keep everyone safe. Traffic controls remain in place to protect the public, and if you’re travelling in the area, please allow extra time for your journey.”
They will provide another update by 1.30pm.
Who lives in Holland Park?
Wednesday 21 January 2026 12:07 , Tom PlaceHolland Park is home to a slew of celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham, Robbie Williams and Jimmy Page.
It is among London’s most expensive postcodes, with an average property selling price of £1.4million in 2025.
'The whole bottom floor is flooded'
Wednesday 21 January 2026 12:00 , Tom PlaceCharles, a 27-year-old freelancer, recalled the events of this morning.
Charles said: “I was asleep and someone’s car alarm went off and then mine went off so I went downstairs. The fire brigade had just got here and they were blowing up this rubber dinghy.
“The whole bottom floor is flooded. When I woke up the water was subsiding so I just sat in my bedroom. But some residents on the top floors were being carried out and put onto dinghys and taken elsewhere.
“I’m just waiting to get in and to take pictures for insurance now.”
Latest from Thames Water
Wednesday 21 January 2026 11:52 , Tom PlaceA spokesperson from Thames Water has confirmed that, while it is a moving situation, as it stands an estimated 2,000 properties are without supplies and 27 properties are confirmed as having suffered flooding.
RBKC leader speaks
Wednesday 21 January 2026 11:50 , Tom PlaceCllr Elizabeth Campbell, Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, has released a statement.
Cllr Campbell said: “I would like to thank the emergency services and our own council officers who responded swiftly and worked through the night to ensure residents were safe and well following the flooding near Holland Park roundabout.
“Some residents were evacuated from their homes and we were on hand to support them, alongside landlords. I have been to the scene myself this morning and met with some of those impacted by this incident.
“Disruption is likely to continue today in the area but our street cleaning crews are on standby to clean the road as soon as emergency services and Thames Water deem it safe.
“Our teams will continue to work closely with partner agencies to support residents throughout the clean-up and recovery.”
Update from Lorne Gardens
Wednesday 21 January 2026 11:46 , Tom PlaceOur reporter on site has confirmed that a number of cars are submerged again, and house alarms are going off.
Two lanes of the roundabout are completely cut off, and people trying to access the Hilton are going right the way around.
Displaced residents sent to the Hilton
Wednesday 21 January 2026 11:42 , Tom PlaceWe can confirm that a number of displaced residents have now been taken in by the local Hilton Kensington.
They are currently being held in a suite, and have some rooms set aside for them.
Quotes from the scene in the early hours
Wednesday 21 January 2026 11:31 , Tom PlaceHere are some more details about the original incident and the emergency response.
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters dealt with the flooding in the early hours, with around 25 people displaced due to flood water entering properties.
Station Commander Kris Seymour, who was at the scene, said: “A burst 30-inch water main caused flooding up to 1-metre deep, affecting more than 50 homes and a hotel over a one-mile area.
“Firefighters used specialist equipment, including an inflatable rescue boat to evacuate affected residents and flood barriers to divert flood water.”
Kensington & Bayswater MP speaks
Wednesday 21 January 2026 11:27 , Tom PlaceJoe Powell, the Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater, has told the Standard: “My thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the serious flooding in the Holland Park area.
“I know this will be an incredibly distressing time for residents, families, and local businesses who have experienced damage and disruption, with many residents being urgently evacuated from their homes.
“I’m grateful to the emergency services for their swift response and for all their support for our community so far.
“I am already in touch with many residents who have been affected and remain in constant contact with the police and Thames Water.
“I encourage anyone in need of assistance to get in touch with me.”
Schools closed
Wednesday 21 January 2026 11:22 , Tom PlaceWith no water to flush the toilets, some schools in Chiswick are closed today.
Due to the low water pressure, Belmont, Strand and Cavendish primary schools are closed today.
Water to be switched off
Wednesday 21 January 2026 11:13 , Tom PlaceOur reporter Megan Howe has spoken to a team member on site who has informed her that all of the water will go off now as it's not safe to continue.
They said the pipe has burst three times.
They predict that it will only get worse unless they shut it off, so they are turning the whole mains water off.
The current scene at Lorne Gardens
Wednesday 21 January 2026 11:08 , Tom Place
Lorne Gardens evacuated
Wednesday 21 January 2026 11:03 , Tom PlaceIt appears that most if not all all residents have been evacuated from Lorne Gardens, with the water main appearing to burst again.
Aspect Drainage are working to pump the water out, but our reporter on site confirms that the floodwater is coming in very quickly.
It resembles a river, and is up to 1 to 2 feet at the moment.
Many cars look likely to be flooded again, as they haven’t been been able to be moved, and it appears that it won't be very long until homes will be flooded again as well.
Water 'flowing down the street like a river'
Wednesday 21 January 2026 10:40 , Tom PlaceAlex Cooper, 48, moved into a property in Lorne Gardens 1 year ago.
He told The Standard: “I woke up to my car alarm going off. It was flowing down the street like a river.
“It got down and it was like two to three feet of water. We saw it coming and moved the furniture upstairs.
“Our whole floor is flooded and our oven is going to be f****d.”
The lights are working in Mr Cooper’s property but he currently has no electricity or gas.
His home was filled with muddy floodwater that coated the living room floor, leaving brown watermarks across the room, soaking a rug and lifting household items off the floor.
“It’s privately owned so I’m going to have to speak to the landlord. It’s just boring and it’s time and I’m busy enough as it is,” he added.
Travel issues
Wednesday 21 January 2026 10:33 , Tom PlaceA number of routes have been affected in the area, with Holland Park Avenue closed in both directions between Princedale Road and the A3220 Holland Park Roundabout.
The eastern arm of Holland Park Roundabout is also closed, as is the A3220 West Cross Route between the Northern Roundabout and Holland Park Roundabout.
There are westbound delays on Westway, and eastbound traffic along Uxbridge Road is moving very slowly with queues back to Keith Grove.
Southbound Traffic along Wood Lane is slow moving with queues back to Glenroy Street.
Thames Water statement
Wednesday 21 January 2026 10:27 , Tom PlaceThe latest Thames Water statement reads:
“We are on site dealing with a large burst water pipe by the Holland Park roundabout, W11.
“Our teams on site have stopped the water flooding, and are now working to clean the area and make it safe to open the roundabout to traffic as soon as we can. We're working with the emergency services to keep everyone safe.
“Traffic controls remain in place to protect the public, if you're travelling in the area, please allow additional time to your journey. Apologies in advance for any delay this may cause.
“We know some are still experiencing issues and are working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible. Others may notice lower pressure initially, but this will improve as it increases in the pipes.”
The next Thames Water update is due by 11.30am.
Which postcodes are affected by water outages?
Wednesday 21 January 2026 10:22 , Tom PlaceThames Water have said that properties in numerous postcodes may be suffering from low water pressure or no water.
According to their latest update posted on its website at 9.15am, they are W1H, W4, W6, W8, W11, W12, W13 and W14.
Residents were rescued from a number of properties in Holland Park overnight.
Pictures show cars submerged in water, while people were loaded into dinghies.
Thames Water engineers are trying to fix the problem - we’ll be keeping you updated.
Good morning
Wednesday 21 January 2026 10:14 , Tom PlaceWe’ll be keeping you updated with all the latest news regarding the flooding in the Holland Park area today.
