Residents and businesses invited to learn more at public meetings on 23 June
National Grid is inviting residents in the Suffolk village of Clare and the surrounding area to further public information events next Tuesday (23 June), after putting forward new proposals for gas mains renewal in Cavendish Road.
After listening to concerns raised by local people about the proposed work – earmarked for this summer – the company has reviewed its proposals. National Grid managers put forward the amended plans to Councillor Mary Evans, Suffolk County Councillor for Clare, and Councillor Alaric Pugh, St Edmundsbury Borough Council member for Clare, as well as to officers from both councils.
The company will be sharing its new proposals for the work with residents and businesses and answering questions at two events being held at Clare Town Hall, next Tuesday. During the day, from 10am to 5pm, there will be public drop-in, where people can stop by, learn more about how the work will be carried out and raise any issues with National Grid and its contractors, tRIIO. This will be followed by an evening meeting starting at 7pm and running until 8.30pm.
Andrew Stone, National Grid Operations Interface Manager, said: “We have listened very carefully to the concerns raised by residents and businesses at the public meeting on 2 June.
“We are working closely with the local authorities and elected representatives Councillor Mary Evans and Councillor Alaric Pugh to ensure we minimize the disruption to local people, while carrying out this essential work safely.
“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.”
The revised proposals include:
- 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. The first week of the gas renewal work – from 13 – 17 July - will take place under temporary traffic lights. National Grid and Suffolk County Council are liaising with those schools whose term ends the following week, with arrangements being put in place where there are school bus pick-ups within Clare.
- Aiming to complete work in Cavendish Road within four weeks, rather than the original seven weeks, working extended hours and using additional staff
- Plans in place to allow Emergency Service access into Cavendish Road while the road closure is underway
- Agreement with Stour Valley Community School has been reached for the school’s turning circle to be used by public bus services during the school holidays, with a revised timetable to enable bus users to walk the closed section of road
- 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, and there will be communication with major haulage companies known to use Cavendish Road
National Grid is upgrading nearly half a kilometre of gas mains in Cavendish Road, from Harp Lane to Church Street. 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.
The work is being scheduled for the school summer holidays to reduce disruption to local communities. To keep everyone safe, Cavendish Road will need to be closed for some of the works, from Saturday 18 July for four weeks.
While it is closed, 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 and businesses in the town will remain open as usual.
Traffic management measures will also be necessary for Church Lane for three weeks during August. Appropriate traffic orders will be in place throughout the works to enable National Grid to adapt traffic management to alleviate congestion and reopen the road as quickly as possible to vehicles in a safe manner.
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.
Anyone not able to attend the information events but who would like to find out more can contact National Grid customer services on 0800 096 5678.