Gas pipeline company National Grid is advising motorists in St Neots of a temporary road closure in Church Street in the New Year while essential gas mains replacement work is underway.
Starting Monday 14 January, Church Street will be closed between to traffic between the junctions with High Street and Brook Street for three weeks while engineers replace the existing iron mains with new, longlasting plastic pipes. The new pipe has a lifespan of some 80 years if left undisturbed in the ground.
Vehicle access will be maintained only for businesses and residents within the road closure area. Other motorists, who would normally travel down Church Street, will be diverted via Berkley Street, Cromwell Road and Cambridge Street. Church Street will remain open to pedestrians at all times.
The work is being undertaken by Morrison Utility Services on behalf of National Grid and is due to be completed by 4 February.
Construction Engineer David Jewson said: “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to local people or motorists. This is essential gas mains renewal work to ensure that local people continue to enjoy safe and reliable supplies for many years to come.
“Safety is our top priority and we have worked closely with the highways authority to put in place traffic management measures that will protect both engineers and road users. We will always try to minimise the impact of our operations on the local community wherever possible and we will endeavour to complete the works as soon as we can.”
The work is part of a multi-million pound package of improvements to the gas supply system in eastern England and is a key element of a national mains renewal programme developed by National Grid in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive.
If anyone has any questions about this project, they should call Morrison Utility Services on 01462 444940.
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For further media information only, please contact Sara Wilcox, National Grid Communications, on 01926 655271 or 07768 433211.