Watermeadow Lane in Fulham has been closed in both directions this morning following an emergency services incident close to the River Thames.
Anyone travelling to or from the Fulham area this afternoon should keep an eye on live traffic information and be prepared for delays. With the incident still ongoing, the closure could remain in place for some time, and the surrounding routes are expected to stay busy until Watermeadow Lane fully reopens.
The closure stretches between Townmead Road and William Morris Way, with traffic reports indicating the street is shut to all vehicles while emergency crews deal with the incident. Drivers have been told to avoid the area and to expect disruption on the surrounding roads.
Bus routes that would normally run along the lane are on diversion, adding to the travel headache for commuters and residents in this part of south-west London. Passengers are advised to check before they travel and to allow extra time for their journeys.
Details of the incident itself remain limited at this stage. The nature of what has happened has not yet been confirmed, and there is no word yet on when the road might reopen. This is a developing story, and our live blog above will carry the latest updates as they come in.
The closure was first reported shortly after 11.20am today, with the lane confirmed shut in both directions by around 11.28am. Emergency services were reported to be dealing with an incident in the area.
Watermeadow Lane sits in a quiet residential pocket of Fulham, a short walk from the Thames riverside. The closed stretch runs between the junction with Townmead Road and William Morris Way, a route used by local traffic as well as bus services through the neighbourhood.
It is the latest in a string of road closures to affect the area. Just days ago, Fulham Palace Road was shut in both directions after a crash, sending rush-hour traffic into gridlock across Hammersmith.
Elsewhere in the capital, a serious crash forced the closure of The Highway near the Limehouse tunnel, while three people were taken to hospital after a crash at Kew Bridge, a short distance upriver from Fulham.
The diversions around Watermeadow Lane come at a difficult time for the capital’s bus network, with average bus speeds having fallen to their lowest level in more than a decade.
Road closures like this one can cause knock-on congestion across Fulham’s residential streets, as drivers seek alternative routes around the cordon. Townmead Road and the surrounding roads are likely to be busier than usual while the closure remains in force.
Local residents and businesses on Watermeadow Lane itself may also face disruption, with access to the closed stretch restricted until the incident is resolved and the road is deemed safe to reopen.
Motorists heading through Fulham are urged to plan an alternative route and to follow any diversions in place. If you are travelling through the area, allow plenty of extra time and consider using public transport where possible.
What we know so far
- Watermeadow Lane is closed in both directions between Townmead Road and William Morris Way.
- The closure follows an emergency services incident near the River Thames in Fulham.
- Buses that normally use the lane are on diversion.
- The nature of the incident has not yet been confirmed.
- Drivers are advised to avoid the area.
We will continue to follow this story throughout the day. Keep refreshing our live blog at the top of this page for the newest updates as they happen.
