Major works to replace 1,500 metres of gas pipes under Southchurch Road, Southend-on-Sea, essential to keeping homes in the area warm, start on Monday 22 July for 20 weeks.
Cadent, who manage the local gas network, is upgrading the gas pipes in the area in order modernise the network and ensure safe and reliable gas supplies for the future without any further disruption.
To carry out our works safely and maintain the traffic flow, lane closures will be in place with no side road access as we move along Southchurch Road.
Phases 1-3: Eastbound rolling lane closure on Southchurch Road.
Lane closure for eastbound traffic from the junction of Queensway and Southchurch Road to the junction of Christchurch Road.
Northbound access will be maintained to access the side roads listed above.
Phases 4-9: Westbound rolling lane closure on Southchurch Road.
Lane closure for westbound traffic from Tesco Express to the junction with Queensway
During these essential works, diversions will be in place to help road users to move around the area. It is advised to plan extra time for journeys.
Will the gas stay on to my property?
Gas stays ON for the duration of work. The only interruption to supply will be to properties that take a direct feed from the pipes being replaced (in the immediate local area). Supply to these properties will be disconnected for a short while (it will be back on the same day it goes off), as the property gets connected into the new pipe. Advance notice will be given and more information will be provided to these properties.
James Harrison, Network Director, London and South Essex explained:
“These works are part of the investment in our network by Cadent which is vital in ensuring that we keep gas flowing to homes in South Essex and beyond for generations to come.
“With gas pipes being decades old, it is essential that we replace them to futureproof our network and minimise the amount of repair work that we have to do in the area over the coming years. Keeping the people of Southend-on-Sea warm in their homes is our number one priority.
“We understand the frustrations that this will cause to road users and residents and we apologise for this. I’d urge everybody to allow a little bit more time for their journeys throughout the period of the works, and I’d like to thank everybody for their patience and understanding as our engineers complete these works safely and as swiftly as possible.”
We are holding a drop-in session to explain our essential work to the local community on Thursday 11 July. All are welcome if they have any questions about the work.
Drop-in session – come and talk to us about our works
Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy. We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change. Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency. Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing.
Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.
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