Hampstead under

HAMPSTEAD was described as being under siege this week after several main roads were left with tailbacks caused by National Grid and Thames Water work. Traffic chaos descended on NW3 after several roads were closed or reduced to one lane. Heath Street w

HAMPSTEAD was described as being under siege this week after several main roads were left with tailbacks caused by National Grid and Thames Water work.

Traffic chaos descended on NW3 after several roads were closed or reduced to one lane.

Heath Street was closed to deal with a burst water pipe up until Monday night, while adjoining Spaniards Road still had temporary traffic lights on Tuesday for scheduled National Grid work. The problems caused ripples through the surrounding streets especially as many of them were closed or part-closed for scheduled Thames Water upgrades including Frognal, Redington Road and West Heath Road.

Angry residents have called for utility work to be staggered in the area.

Hampstead actor Tom Conti said: "I don't understand why they are all being dug up at the same time. Unless there are holes in the roads why don't they hold some of the work back?

"It is just chaos. It seems that no one is masterminding it all. The council should be very firm with utility companies."

One furious parent Gaby Becker said: "Everyone is going nuts. You have got 10 to 15 schools in the area that are affected. I have seen ambulances get completely stuck in the traffic. It has been a joke and no-one seems to be taking responsibility."

Another resident of Redington Road said: "It is like being under siege. Everywhere you go there are roadworks."

A spokeswoman for Thames Water said: "We are working day and night to get the pipes fixed.