Motorists are being warned to expect heavier traffic and possible hold-ups in Putney and the approaches to the Wandsworth one-way system from Monday morning as a result of roadworks being carried out by Thames Water.

Extra congestion is expected in the west of the borough, particularly around Putney Bridge, Putney High Street and Putney Bridge Road.

The extra congestion will come from heavy lorries that are being sent on a lengthy detour through the area as a result of Thames Water roadworks in Mortlake.

The detour will see the drivers of heavy goods vehicles heading along the A205 South Circular being diverted away from that trunk road in Mortlake on a detour through Chiswick, Hammersmith Broadway, Fulham and Putney before rejoining the South Circular in Wandsworth town centre.

The detour, which has been agreed by Thames Water and Transport for London, has been established because Clifford Avenue in Mortlake is closed to all southbound traffic from Chalker's Corner for the next six weeks. This is to allow the company to replace Victorian era water mains.

Cars, vans and small lorries will be diverted from Chalkers Corner via the Lower Richmond Road and Sheen Lane and back to the South Circular at Upper Richmond Road West.

But because there are a number of weight and height restrictions in the Barnes area for railway crossings and low railway bridges, a separate diversion is to operate for vehicles weighing seven tonnes and over.

These vehicles will be diverted from the A316 Clifford Avenue towards Hammersmith onto the A4 Great West Road, Hammersmith Broadway, down Fulham Palace Road into Fulham High Street, over Putney Bridge, left into Putney Bridge Road, Armoury Way and then back to the A205.

Nick Morris, Director of Road Network Performance at TfL, said: "We have liaised with Thames Water and ensured that they carry out the works during the summer holidays when there will be ten per cent fewer road users on the A205.  "We ask motorists to bear with us while Thames Water carry out these upgrade works and we will do our best to ensure that disruption is kept to minimum."

Neil Franks, Senior Project Manager at Thames Water said: "We will be replacing over 300m of old Victorian cast iron water mains as part of our essential work to reduce leakage in London.

"We are working closely with TfL to reduce the impact on traffic and thereby minimise disruption.  We apologise for any inconvenience these works will cause road-users."

• For all the latest traffic and travel news, see our Local Information section