▪ Ageing gas mains to be replaced in Woodbridge Road, Ipswich
▪ Work scheduled to take place between 10 July and 17 September 2017
▪ Project will help keep safe and reliable gas supplies flowing for cooking and heating into the future
Engineers are planning a major project to replacing ageing gas mains in Ipswich.
The project involves replacing metal gas mains which are nearing the end of their operational life with tough new pipes in Woodbridge Road.
Associated work will also be taking place at the junctions of Woodbridge Road and the following streets: Kirby Street, Milton Street, Howard Street, Britannia Road and Woodbridge Road East. While this work is taking place there will be no access in or out of these streets.
The essential work will help ensure local people keep on enjoying safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking and heating.
Work is planned to start on Monday 10 July and is due for completion by Sunday 17 September 2017.
To enable the work to be carried out safely and efficiently the following traffic management will be in place:
Road closure
There will be a westbound lane closure in Woodbridge Road between the junction with Kirby Street and the junction of Woodbridge Road East. This will mean that this section of road will become a temporary one way system for eastbound traffic only.
All shops and businesses will remain open as usual.
To minimise disruption the new pipes will be inserted into the old gas mains which will minimise the need for big excavations and thus reduce inconvenience for local people and road users. Scheduling the bulk of the work during the school summer holiday period when roads are generally quieter will also help minimise disruption
The work has been carefully planned in close discussion with the local authorities.
National Grid Authorising Engineer Vince Doggett said: “This essential work will help ensure people in the area keep on enjoying safe and reliable gas supplies.
“It will also reduce the amount of unplanned repair jobs we have to do on ageing gas pipes which will reduce disruption in the area.”
He added: “We’re doing all we can to deliver this work with as little disruption as possible.
“This includes inserting the new gas mains and scheduling the bulk of the work for during the school summer holiday period, both of which should reduce inconvenience for local people and road users.”
To find out more about the work people can contact National Grid’s customer services team on 0800 096 5678.
For more information on National Grid‘s gas mains replacement work people can also visit: www.bettergaspipes.co.uk