Cadent to replace ageing gas pipes in Halstead

• Essential work in Halstead will help keep residents connected to safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking and heating
• The scheme involves replacing more than 1,600 metres of ageing gas mains
• Initial work starts on Monday 19 October, with permits in place until Wednesday 23 December

Essential gas mains replacement work is set to begin in Hedingham Road, Halstead, as Cadent upgrades part of the local network.

The project will see more than 1,600 metres of ageing gas mains replaced, with most of the work taking place in Hedingham Road and additional work planned in  Mill Chase, Box Mill Lane and Ashlong Grove.

The work gets underway on Monday 19 October, with permits in place until Wednesday 23 December.

Following consultation with Essex County Council, Cadent has agreed the following traffic management plans to allow the work to be completed safely and efficiently:

• A road closure will be in place along Hedingham Road from Monday 2 November until Wednesday 23 December.
• Additional road closures will also be in place in Mill Chase from 2 November to 20 November and Mill Box Lane from 23 November to 4 December.
• Two-way traffic lights will be in place at the junction of Ashlong Grove and the A1124 from 7 December to 23 December.
• Further work will take place in Ashlong Grove in the new year, with a road closure in place from 4 January until 7 February.
• Access will be maintained for residents living within the work area.

Cadent will be holding a public event between 1pm and 3pm on Tuesday 27 October on the grass verge opposite Halstead Hospital, near the bus stop on Hedingham Road. Businesses and residents are welcome to attend the event to ask any questions and raise any concerns. There is no need to book an appointment, please just come along and chat to the team.

Amber Greensmith, Head of Customer Experience at Cadent, said: The metallic pipes that are in place in this section of the network have been very well used for a very long time. It’s now time for them to be replaced so that we can continue to deliver gas to homes and businesses 24/7, 365 days a year.

These upgrades also have big environmental gains, as they reduce methane emissions and enable a move to more renewable gases like biomethane. This is essential for a cleaner future as the UK will need energy to come from a range of sources to meet demand and be sustainable.

We know this work will cause disruption, particularly in the run-up to Christmas, and that Hedingham Road is a key route for people travelling to and from Sible Hedingham. We have worked with the local highways team, as well as local authorities, to create a traffic management plan that will help minimise disruption while we carry out these essential works. Diversion routes will be in place, and we encourage people to follow them to keep traffic moving as safely and smoothly as possible.

I thank everybody for their patience as we take the measures needed to ensure our engineers can carry out these works as safely and as efficiently as possible.

Gas stays ON for the duration of the works. 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.

If you smell gas, always ring the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999*, day or night. Do not assume it is related to these works; it may not be and needs to be checked.