Next week heralds the start of a £177,000 engineering project in Harpenden’s Station Road to ensure safe and reliable gas supplies for local people until the end of the century.
National Grid, in partnership with Morrison Utility Services, is embarking on a four-and-a-half month project to upgrade gas mains from Marquis Lane to Cowper Road.
Work is due to start on Monday 29 June and is due to be completed by mid-November. The existing iron mains will be replaced with durable plastic pipes that have a lifespan of 80 years if left undisturbed in the ground and need little maintenance.
To safeguard engineers and road users while the work is under way it will be necessary to put in place a series of phased junction closures and temporary traffic lights.
National Grid’s Network Engineer (Investment), Julian Yaxley said: “This is essential work that will ensure local residents and businesses continue to benefit from safe and reliable gas supplies for decades to come. It is part of a £3.5 million investment National Grid is making in Hertfordshire’s gas network this year.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by our works. The temporary traffic management measures are necessary so we can carry out this work safely. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption and complete the works as soon as we can.”
Starting on 29 June, Manland Avenue will be closed at the junction with Station Road for approximately two weeks. During this period temporary traffic lights will be stationed on Station Road, between Manland Avenue and Marquis Lane. Motorists are advised to leave extra time for their journeys, particularly during peak traffic times.
The junction closures below will then follow on from each other in a rolling programme, from mid-July to mid-November:
- Station Road as well as Langdale Avenue and Carisbrooke Road at the junctions with Station Road for approximately two weeks
- Station Road between the junctions with Carisbrooke Road Lyndhurst Drive for eight weeks
- Browning Road at the junction with Station Road for two weeks. Temporary traffic lights in Station Road, between Lyndhurst Drive and Dalkeith Road
- Dalkeith Road at the junction with Station Road for two weeks. Temporary traffic lights to be located in Station Road between Browning Road and Overstone Road.
- Overstone Road at the junction of Station Road for two weeks. Temporary traffic lights in Station Road between Amberley Close and Kipling Way
- Connaught Road at the junction with Station Road for two weeks. Temporary traffic lights in Station Road between Kipling Way and Cowper Road
If members of the public have any enquiries about the works they should call Morrison Utility Services on 01462 444940.
The work is part of a national mains renewal programme developed by National Grid in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive and industry regulator Ofgem.
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For further media information contact Sara Wilcox, National Grid Media Relations on 01926 655271.