Residents and motorists in Kempston are being advised that temporary one-way traffic restrictions in Elstow Road will be extended to the junction with Spring Road as engineers replace a kilometre of iron gas mains.
Starting on Monday 15 October Elstow Road will be westbound only from Jowitt Avenue to Bunyan Road. Motorists and residents in Elstow Road and nearby streets wishing to head east out of Kempston, towards the A6 Ampthill Road, are advised to travel west along Elstow Road to Bunyan Road and follow the diversion via Bedford Road, Kempston Road and Britannia Road.
The temporary one-way restrictions are in place to enable gas pipeline company National Grid to replace Elstow Road’s cast iron mains with new durable plastic pipes, which have a lifespan of 80 years if left undisturbed in the ground.
The work is being carried out on behalf of National Grid by the North London Gas Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and construction company Skanska-McNicholas. Since work started on 24 September, engineers have replaced 400 metres of pipes.
Gas Alliance Zone Manager Kevin Blundell said: “Traffic restrictions will need to be in place while the work is underway to protect engineers and road users. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, however, we are carrying out the works as quickly and safely as we can. We would appeal to people to bear with us.
“I am pleased to say that thanks to close working between the North London Gas Alliance, Bedfordshire Highways Authority, the police, utilities and other affected organisations the project continues to be well ahead of schedule.”
The Elstow road works are part of a £1 million scheme to secure gas supplies in Kempston until the end of the century. The works and traffic management measures have been planned with Bedfordshire Highways Authority and the Police.
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.
If members of the public have any queries or concerns about the works they should contact the North London Gas Alliance on 0800 096 5678.
Ends
For media enquiries only, contact Sara Wilcox, National Grid Communications, on 01926 655271 or 07768 433211.