- Major project starts on 29 July to replace Canal Street’s ageing gas pipe
- Canal Street to close westbound from London Road roundabout to Broadmarsh
- Drivers advised to seek alternative routes
Drivers in Nottingham are being reminded that a £500,000 gas mains upgrade will be starting in Canal Street on Monday 29 July for 14 weeks.
Local gas network Cadent will be replacing half a kilometre of ageing gas mains the size of a small tractor tyre with tough new plastic pipes that will keep gas flowing to the city’s homes and businesses until the end of the century.
The Beatles were topping the charts and mini-skirts were all the rage when the pipe was laid but 60 years later it is showing its age. In recent years, the pipe has had to undergo a series of repairs, resulting in road closures during 2017. This work will prevent similar problems in the future.
To minimise disruption, the work has been scheduled for the start of the summer holidays, and after the Cricket World Cup at Trent Bridge. Other utility works, needed for the Broadmarsh redevelopment plan, will also be carried out at the same time.
To keep people safe the following traffic management measures will be in place:
- the westbound section of Canal Street will close from London Road roundabout towards Broadmarsh. Travel east from the Broadmarsh area to London Road roundabout will remain unaffected by the works.
- Access to Trent Street and Station Street will be maintained via a right turn from Canal Street eastbound.
- Access to homes and businesses will be maintained throughout the work
Drivers are being advised to use alternative routes across Nottingham’s road network where possible. Motorists heading to this area of the city will be able to use the Southern Relief Route as a signed diversion.
Cadent Authorising Engineer Paul Patrick said: “Our job is to keep the gas flowing safely to homes and businesses. The existing gas main is ageing and needs updating so we can continue to keep people warm and safe into the next century.
“We are working closely with Nottingham City Council to minimise any inconvenience caused by this essential work. Once the new pipes are in the ground we won’t need to renew them for 80 years.”
Councillor Adele Williams Portfolio Holder for Local Transport, said: “We are working with Cadent to minimise the way these works affect the public with well signed diversions and plenty of advanced warning, although we recognise there will likely be some disruption initially as people get used to the new routes while these essential works are undertaken.
“We have reviewed all other potential roadworks across the city and will actively prevent any works that are not emergencies or essential so as not to create any potential blockages or problems throughout the city. I would encourage people to follow the signed traffic diversions on the roads and promoted on our Transport Nottingham website and My Nottingham social media accounts, use our great public transport where possible and use up to date sat navs and map software that diverts you away from congestion to make your journeys in Nottingham as easy as possible.”
Nottingham City Council has undertaken work to improve other roads and alternative routes around the Broadmarsh area and the city as a whole to make sure traffic flows as smoothly as possible during these works.
The Southern Relief Route was completed in June 2016 and has since been designated the city’s first ‘red route,’ with double red lines to keep traffic moving. It is a key diversion route skirting below Nottingham Station for anyone driving across the city who might normally pass through the Broadmarsh area.