Major works to replace 1,500 metres of gas pipes under Southchurch Road, Southend-on-Sea, essential to keeping homes in the area warm, start on Monday 22 July for 20 weeks.
Cadent, who manage the local gas network, is upgrading the gas pipes in the area in order modernise the network and ensure safe and reliable gas supplies for the future without any further disruption.
Traffic management
To carry out our works safely and maintain the traffic flow, lane closures will be in place with no side road access as we move along Southchurch Road.
Phases 1-3: Eastbound rolling lane closure on Southchurch Road.
Lane closure for eastbound traffic from the junction of Queensway and Southchurch Road to the junction of Christchurch Road.
Phase 1 (3 weeks) – Sutton Road closed at the junction of Southchurch Road
Phase 2 (2 weeks) – Sutton Road and Bournemouth Park Road closed at the junction of Southchurch Road
Phase 3 (2 weeks) – Lane closure eastbound only along Southchurch Road
Northbound access will be maintained to access the side roads listed above.
Phases 4-9: Westbound rolling lane closure on Southchurch Road.
Lane closure for westbound traffic from Tesco Express to the junction with Queensway
Phase 4 (2 weeks) – Belle Vue Avenue closed at the junction of Southchurch Road
Phase 5 (2 weeks) – Chase Road closed at the junction of Southchurch Road
Phase 6 (2 weeks) – Southchurch Road Lane closure eastbound only
Phase 7 (2 weeks) – Southchurch Ave closed southbound towards Southend Seafront
Phase 8 (3 weeks) – Lancaster Gardens closed at the junction of Southchurch Road
Phase 9 (2 weeks) – Tyrrel Drive two-way traffic lights
During these essential works, diversions will be in place to help road users to move around the area. It is advised to plan extra time for journeys.
Will the gas stay on to my property?
Gas stays ON for the duration of work. The only interruption to supply will be to properties that take a direct feed from the pipes being replaced (in the immediate local area). Supply to these properties will be disconnected for a short while (it will be back on the same day it goes off), as the property gets connected into the new pipe. Advance notice will be given and more information will be provided to these properties.
James Harrison, Network Director, London and South Essex explained:
“These works are part of the investment in our network by Cadent which is vital in ensuring that we keep gas flowing to homes and businesses in South Essex and beyond for generations to come.
“With gas pipes being decades old, it is essential that we replace them to futureproof our network and minimise the amount of repair work that we have to do in the area over the coming years. Keeping the people of Southend-on-Sea warm in their homes is our number one priority.
“We understand the frustrations that this will cause to road users and residents and we apologise for this. I’d urge everybody to allow a little bit more time for their journeys throughout the period of the works, and I’d like to thank everybody for their patience and understanding as our engineers complete these works safely and as swiftly as possible.”
