National Grid's £800,000 project to renew gas mains in Rayleigh has moved to the town centre to take advantage of the lull in traffic during the summer holidays.
The project involves replacing old metal gas mains with new hard-wearing plastic pipes. This essential work is being carried out by the North London Gas Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and Skanska.
Work is being carried out in Eastwood Road, and in the High Street at the junction with Eastwood Road, until mid-August 2009. Work will then continue in the High Street area.
The project has been planned in close consultation with Essex County Council, the police, businesses and bus and taxi companies, and National Grid is doing all it can to minimise inconvenience. The new pipes will be inserted through the old ones wherever possible to reduce the need for digging.
National Grid construction engineer Steve Edwards said: “By scheduling this work for the school summer holidays, when the roads are generally quieter, we should be able to minimise disruption for road users and residents.
"We apologise for any inconvenience our work is causing. We always anticipated that this work would take time but we are pleased with the progress that is being made. Once installed the new mains should provide many years of reliable service for the local community.”
Overall the project will see nearly 3km of gas mains replaced in Rayleigh in a route stretching from Down Hall Road to the High Street and ending at the junction of the A127. Work on the project is due to be completed in March 2010.
More information on the project can be obtained by calling 0800 096 5678.
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For further media information contact, Antony Quarrell, National Grid Media Relations, on 07810 853075