New Regulator Could Prevent Repeat of Water Main Burst Fiasco
Report back from Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick
Andy Slaughter MP
January 23, 2026
This week a major burst water main near Holland Park roundabout early on Wednesday morning caused widespread disruption across west London. I raised this in a debate on the water companies in Parliament the same day.
Large areas experienced no water or low water pressure, affecting postcodes including W4, W6, W8, W11, W12, W13 and W14. Thames Water has told me that around 4,000 homes were affected, and a number of schools were forced to close. Local businesses were also disrupted, and traffic was severely affected while emergency repairs were carried out.
I have been in direct contact with Thames Water from the early stages of the incident, pressing for clear information on the scale of the disruption, support for affected residents and schools, and the timescale for restoring supplies.
In response to widespread failures across the water sector, from burst mains to sewage discharges and supply outages, the Labour Government has this week unveiled a major overhaul of water regulation. Under plans set out in a new White Paper, the existing fragmented system will be replaced by a single, powerful regulator to oversee all aspects of water companies’ performance, infrastructure and customer service.
This new body will have stronger powers to conduct proactive “MOT-style” checks on pipes and other assets, step in quickly where there are problems, and hold companies to account in ways that the old regime failed to do. The reforms are aimed at ensuring reliable service for customers and preventing the kind of poor maintenance and disruption we’ve seen locally.
This week, as well as speaking on the water mains burst and Thames Water, I spoke in Parliament on the Sentencing Bill, which you can read here.
We have had big news for shoppers in Chiswick, with developments at three of our major supermarkets.
The most substantial proposal concerns Sainsbury’s. The company has entered a partnership with St James, part of the Berkeley Group, to begin pre-application discussions with Hounslow Council on a major redevelopment of the Sainsbury’s site at Essex Place. The plan, known as Chiswick Gardens, would see a new 5,300 sqm supermarket alongside around 300 new homes and redesigned public spaces. The intention is to replace the existing store with a modern building , improved layouts and public realm improvements. Drop-in events for local residents are scheduled for February to view early concepts and engage with the proposals. This is the most significant development opportunity in central Chiswick for many years and it is vital that residents voices be heard. Times and dates can be found here.
More immediately, the Chiswick Waitrose is closing today for around eight weeks for a comprehensive refurbishment, with a planned reopening on 19 March. While the company has not yet released full details of the changes, this closure is part of a wider investment programme by the John Lewis Partnership to refresh branches across the country.
Finally, Marks & Spencer has already completed its own major change. The M&S food store on Chiswick High Road has re-opened following a significant extension, with the floor space increased by around 75 % after taking over three neighbouring units. The enlarged store features new counters and in-store facilities, and the expansion has created more than 50 local jobs. This is part of a wider £90 million investment by M&S in its London stores over the past year.
Last weekend, I was pleased to attend the recent unveiling of the latest artwork on the W4th Plinth at Turnham Green Terrace. The project, curated by Abundance London, has become a distinctive feature of Chiswick’s public spaces, combining artistic ambition with genuine community involvement. It was good to see residents gather for the installation, with music from Chiswick School students adding to the occasion, and to mark the continuation of a programme that puts public participation at the centre of how art is commissioned and displayed locally.
Best wishes,
Andy
andy@andyslaughter.com
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