Borough High Street closed southbound until July 2010

Between 12 December and July 2010, all southbound traffic, including buses, will be diverted along Southwark Street, Southwark Bridge Road and Marshalsea Road.

"By getting Thames Water, Southern Gas Networks and TfL to work on-site together while this closure is in place, we have been able to halve the amount of time needed to carry out these works, saving motorists in the area from an additional seven months of disruption," says Alan Bristow, TfL's director of traffic operations.

Bus routes 21, 35, 40, 133, 343, N21, N35, N133 and N343 will be affected by the southbound closure.

A signed diversion for cyclists will be provided via Duke Street Hill, Tooley Street, Weston Street, Snowsfields, Crosby Row and Long Lane.

The utility companies are employing a single contractor, Morrison Utilities Services, to work on the gas and water mains replacement works.

This means that if any problem occurs with the progress of work on one of the mains, the contractor can continue work on the other without any causing any delays.

Water main replacement work has recently been completed by Thames Water in Tooley Street.