- Public events well-received on Tuesday 23 June
- Essential gas mains upgrade due to start on 13 July
National Grid has laid out details of how essential gas mains replacement work will be carried out in the Suffolk village of Clare, this summer.
At two well-received public events in the village last Tuesday (23 June) the company explained how the work, in Cavendish Road and Church Street, will be carried out in phases, together with the accompanying traffic management to keep workers and road-users safe.
Andrew Stone, National Grid Operations Interface Manager, said: “We had two very productive and positive public events – a drop-in session during the day and an evening public meeting.
“We were able to provide people with information on a variety of different issues, ranging from business compensation arrangements to traffic management, buses and emergency services access.
“We’d like to thank people for their time and thank the local authorities for their assistance, and, in particular, elected representatives Councillor Mary Evans and Councillor Alaric Pugh.
“It is vital we replace ageing gas mains so local people can continue to enjoy safe and reliable gas supplies but we will do our utmost, working with the community, to reduce the impact of this work.”
National Grid is upgrading gas mains in Cavendish Road, from Harp Lane to Church Street, and in Church Street itself. Work is due to start on 13 July and will see the existing iron mains replaced by tough, hardwearing plastic pipes that will last at least 80 years.
Details of the phases of work are as follows:
Week one (13 – 17 July)
- Preparation work for the gas mains renewal
- Temporary traffic lights in Cavendish Road
Weeks two, three, four and five (18 July – 17 August)
- Gas mains replacement underway in Cavendish Road for four weeks
- Cavendish Road closed to through traffic from Harp Lane to Church Street for four weeks. Vehicle access to properties in Cavendish Road only.
- On 10 August gas renewal starts in Church Street for three weeks, with temporary traffic lights.
Weeks six and seven (17 August – 30 August)
- Gas mains replacement continues in Church Street
- Temporary traffic lights will move up Church Street as each section of gas main is replaced
While Cavendish Road is closed to through traffic – from 18 July to 17 August – the following diversion route will be in place: A1092 towards Long Melford, A134 towards Bury St Edmunds, A1302, A143 towards Haverhill, A1017, and then the A1092 towards Clare.
Access to Cavendish Road will be maintained for pedestrians. Businesses in the town will remain open as usual.
Following feedback from local residents earlier in June, National Grid revised its proposals to reduce the road closure from seven weeks to four. The company is aiming to complete the work within four weeks, working extended hours and using additional staff.
Cavendish Road will remain open to traffic until 17 July, when term ends at Stour Valley Community School, which is located in Cavendish Road, close to the works. Students who use school buses but whose schools don’t finish term until the following week are advised to contact Suffolk Passenger Transport on 0345 606 6171 or go to suffolkonboard.com for information about school transport for the remaining days of term.
Public bus services running between Haverhill and Sudbury, via Clare, will be split. Passengers will be dropped off in Clare and will then need to walk along Cavendish Road to pick up their connecting bus to continue their journey. The bus timetables will be changed to reflect this. For information about bus services go to www.suffolkonboard.com, contact Suffolk Passenger Transport on 0345 606 6171 or go to www.beestons.co.uk
To prevent HGVs entering the town, electronic variable message signs will be stationed at key points in the Clare area, warning of the road closure and diversion.
Businesses affected by the work may be eligible for compensation for loss of business under the Gas Regulations 1996. Businesses can also find out more by going to www.nationalgrid.com/uk/gas.
For more information go to ngrid.com/clare or contact National Grid customer services on 0800 096 5678.