Hitchin residents and motorists are advised that a temporary closure of Walsworth Road is due to start on Monday 1 June to allow the second phase of an essential gas mains replacement project to get under way.
National Grid, in partnership with Morrison Utility Services, is upgrading 1.8km of gas pipes in Walsworth Road, from the junction of St Michael’s Road and Cambridge Road to the junction of Portmill Lane and Queen Street.
To carry out the work safely it will be necessary to close Walsworth Road to through traffic from Station Approach to Verulam Road, from I June to 5 October. Vehicle access will be maintained for businesses and residents within the road closure, while other traffic will be diverted along the following route: Queen Street, Park Street, Park Way, Old Park Road, Bedford Road, Fishponds Road and Nightingale Road.
Businesses will remain open as usual throughout the work and access to Station Approach and Hitchin Railway Station will not be affected. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
National Grid Construction Operations Engineer Julian Yaxley said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused by our works. The temporary road closure is necessary so that we can carry out this work safely but every effort will be made to minimise disruption and complete the works as soon as possible.
“This is essential work that will ensure local people continue to benefit from safe and reliable gas supplies for many years to come. The existing iron mains will be replaced with new, long-lasting plastic pipes that have a life-span of 80 years if left undisturbed in the ground.”
The five-month gas mains replacement project started at the beginning of May and is due for completion by mid-November. Engineers are currently replacing gas mains between St Michael’s Road and Station Approach.
To safeguard engineers and road-users, temporary traffic lights have been stationed at the junction of Nightingale Road, Walsworth Road and Cambridge Road and will be in place until the road closure starts. Drivers are advised to leave extra time for their journeys.
The project is part of a national mains renewal programme developed by National Grid in conjunction with the Health & Safety Executive and industry regulator Ofgem.
If members of the public have any enquiries about this project they should call Morrison Utility Services on 01462 444940.
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For media enquiries contact Sara Wilcox, National Grid Media Relations, on 01926 655271