A £1 million engineering project to secure Kempston’s gas network for decades to come begins its second phase on Monday (9th July).
Gas pipeline company National Grid will replace half a kilometre of cast iron gas mains in Woburn Road, between the junctions with Chantry Road and the Wolseley Road roundabout, with modern, durable plastic piping, which has a lifespan of 80 years if left undisturbed in the ground.
The work is expected to take up to eight weeks, with the majority timed to coincide with the school holidays to reduce disruption to local people and drivers. To ensure the safety of both workers and road users, while the works are underway Woburn Road will be made one-way southbound, with traffic permitted to travel from Chantry Road to Wolseley Road roundabout only.
Diversionary routes will be in place and will be clearly signed. Parking bays in Wolseley Road will also have to be temporarily suspended. Access to the Police Headquarters and Abbott Crescent Estate will be via Wolseley Road roundabout, while access to the Woburn Road Industrial Estate will be from Wolseley Road.
The work and traffic management measures have been planned with Bedfordshire Highways Authority and the Police to reduce the impact on residents and motorists. The work is being undertaken by the North London Gas Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and leading construction company Skanska-McNicholas.
Gas Alliance Zone Manager Kevin Blundell said: “We apologise for any inconvenience these works may cause. This is essential gas mains replacement work which will enable Kempston people to continue to enjoy a safe and reliable gas supply for many years to come. We are committed to minimising any disruption to local people and we will endeavour to carry out the works as quickly and safely as we can. We would appeal to people to bear with us while we complete this vital project.”
To further reduce disruption, where possible state-of-the-art mains replacement technology will be used, which involves inserting the new pipe in the existing main. This avoids the need for long open trenches used in tradition excavation methods.
The Kempston works are part of a 30-year programme agreed between National Grid and the Health and Safety Executive to replace all metal gas mains within 30 metres of properties.
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For further media information only, please contact Sara Wilcox, National Grid Communications on 01926 655271.