- Major gas mains upgrade in Lawford Road is underway
- Project is part of a £65 million investment in the West Midlands gas network
- Lawford Road closed eastbound during first phase of work
A major engineering project that will keep generations of Rugby residents warm in the future has kicked off in Lawford Road.
Engineers from local gas network company Cadent started work on Monday 25 September to upgrade nearly 1.4 kilometres of ageing gas mains under the road.
In a 26-week project, the existing iron gas mains will be replaced with tough, hard-wearing plastic pipes that will last at least 80 years. It is part of Cadent’s £65 million programme to renew 370kms of gas pipes across Warwickshire and the West Midlands this year.
The work will mean residents will continue to enjoy safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking, heating and powering their businesses until the end of the century.
Steve Murray, who heads up Cadent’s gas mains replacement programme in the West Midlands, said: “This is a major investment in the gas network in Rugby. This essential work will mean local people will continue to enjoy safe and reliable gas supplies to heat their homes, cook their meals and fuel their businesses for decades to come.
“This is a big project and to keep everyone safe while we carry out the work traffic restrictions will be needed. We will do our best to minimise disruption to drivers and the local community but would ask people to bear with us while we complete this vital work.”
The work is being carried out in three phases. To safeguard staff and road-users, road closures and temporary traffic lights will be needed.
Phase one started on Monday 25 September for 11 weeks and will see engineers replace the gas main on the north side of the road.
- Lawford Road will be closed to eastbound traffic between Addison Road and Plowman Street. For traffic heading east towards the A426 there will be a signed diversion route.
- There will be temporary traffic lights at the junction of Lawford Road, Oliver Street and Northcote Road.
- At the end of this phase Campbell Street will be temporarily closed for a week.
Phase 2 is due to start after Christmas and is due to last five weeks. During this phase we will be replacing the gas main on the north side of Lawford Road, between Parkfield Road and Pinfold Street. When this is finished we will then start replacing the gas main on the south side of Lawford Road, between these two junctions.
- During the first part of this phase Lawford Road will be closed to eastbound traffic (drivers heading towards the A426 and the town centre) between Parkfield Road and Pinfold Street and a diversion route will be in place.
- During the second part of this phase Lawford Road will be closed to westbound traffic (drivers heading out of Rugby, towards the A4071) between Parkfield Road and Pinfold Street and a diversion route will be in place.
- During this phase there will be a one-way closure on Addision Road. Drivers will not be able to turn into Lawford Road from Addison Road and a diversion will be in place.
- Also during this phase there will be a road closure on Jubilee Street during weekends only.
Phase three will see engineers replace the gas main on the south side of Lawford Road and is expected to take 10 weeks.
- Lawford Road will be closed to westbound traffic (drivers heading out of Rugby, towards the A4071) from Addison Road to Plowman Street and a signed diversion route will be in place.
- During this phase New Street will be closed for two weeks.
It may be necessary to temporarily disconnect people’s gas supplies for short periods while their gas service pipes (the pipes that take gas from the main in the road to their homes or businesses) are replaced. People will be informed beforehand.
Cadent employees and contractors carry identification. Residents should always ask to see it before letting anyone into their homes.
If anyone has any enquiries about this work they should contact Cadent’s customer services team on 0800 096 5678. To find out more about how Cadent replaces gas mains and how that affects residents and businesses go to www.bettergaspipes.co.uk.