SLEEPING, reading the paper and munching on a sandwich is all in a days work or so it would seem. Puzzled residents of St Michael s Road in Cricklewood have been left scratching their heads with bemusement after workers turned up to undertake maintenance

SLEEPING, reading the paper and munching on a sandwich is all in a days work or so it would seem.

Puzzled residents of St Michael's Road in Cricklewood have been left scratching their heads with bemusement after workers turned up to undertake maintenance on their road without any work looking like it was taking place.

Contractors working on behalf of Thames Water have pitched up at the side of the road for over a fortnight with residents saying it must be the easiest job in the world.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "These guys have been sitting in a van for about two weeks now and we have only seen them do work once - to sweep up some leaves.

"It is ridiculous. God knows how much it is costing to keep them there sleeping, reading the paper and whatever else they do.

"We have not heard anything from the council, the waterboard or whoever it is doing this as to why they are there and for how much longer they will be."

All is not as bad as it seems though as when the Times contacted Thames Water to find out why these workmen where not living up to their title we were informed that they were doing exactly what was asked of them.

A Thames Water spokeswoman said: "We are currently disinfecting a large water main before bringing it into service.

"Although at times it may appear that nothing much is happening, this job is extremely important and involves the site being manned 24-hours a day."

Thames Water went on to say that they could not say for certain how long the work would carry on as they had to be sure it was fully completed but men needed to be there to supervise the work.