Thoughtless traffic wardens tried to slap fines on motorists who had parked on kerbs to help emergency vehicles pass during a major flood in Tulse Hill.

Palace Road residents - some who had sustained six figure damages to their homes - said they watched on in disbelief as the wardens started writing tickets for the cars.

They had been parked on corners and kerbs to make room for the fire brigade and other services tackling a major watermain burst and sewage system collapse in the road last Wednesday.

Only after strong protests from residents and firemen did the wardens stop, according to onlookers.

Palace Road resident Pamela Janson-Smith said she was shocked when she saw the wardens tried to give her a ticket.

She said: “I could not believe it.

"These wardens could see a crisis going on around them but they still thought they could dish out a few tickets.

"It was pretty shocking behaviour, really.”

A Lambeth Council spokesman said parking attendants were in the area as part of their normal work observing whether any vehicles were causing an obstruction or parked illegally.

He said: “It is not apparent that any penalty charge notices were issued.

"Our CEOs (civil enforcement officers) are trained to handle emergency situations and assist the public in parking legally and we operate a firm but fair policy on parking.”

The 18-inch water-main burst in the middle of Palace Road shortly after 6am on June 10, sending water gushing down the street.

The water overloaded the sewer system, causing it to crack, meaning sewage flooded out of drains, and some residents’ toilets.

Twenty basements were flooded by water up to 8ft deep, with some flats being completely decimated.

Damages of up to £200,000 were reported, with compensation needed to be paid by Thames Water expected to stretch to well over £1m.

Thames Water, Floodwatch, and the fire brigade spent the whole day pumping the flood and sewer water out of homes.

The cracked drainage systems meant some homes also flooded with sewage the next day.

Some residents have criticised Thames Water for failing to prioritise upgrading the mains after several leaks occurred in the past 12 months.

A spokeswoman for the company said the same main had not burst multiple times but that several pipes run under the road and these had all sustained problems.

She said the mains were not on the priority list for upgrading in the next five years, but there was contingency in its budget which could allow an upgrade, if it was deemed necessary.

Sections of Palace Road have been closed off since the incident occurred. Repairs to the water main were completed on Friday, but when this newspaper went to press, Thames Water engineers were still on site to repair the section of damaged sewer.

Thames Water said the road would remain closed until the works are completed.

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