30 Jun 2015
• Gas mains to be replaced in Central Avenue between Hamstel Road and Sutton Road
• Work is due to begin on 20 July and last for 25 weeks
• Traffic management will include rolling road closures and bus diversions
National Grid is preparing to roll out the next phase of essential gas mains in Southend.
Engineers will be replacing ageing metallic gas mains with tough new pipes along Central Avenue between Hamstel Road and Sutton Road.
The vital work will begin on 20 July and last for approximately 25 weeks. It will ensure local homes, businesses and community facilities remain safely connected to reliable gas supplies in future years.
Traffic management and parking suspensions are planned as follows:
Phase 1: 20 July to 16 November
For the first 17 weeks National Grid's engineers will work along Central Avenue from Hamstel Road towards Sutton Road, using a rolling road closure to ensure the work is carried out as safely and as efficiently as possible.
During this time local buses will be diverted on to other routes, for more information go to: http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/essex/travel_news/service_updates/?item=87771&conf=1
Phase 2: 16 November to 11 January
For the remaining eight weeks engineers will be working on the footpath along the same stretch of road. Parking bays will be suspended along one side of Central Avenue in a rolling manner as the work progresses.
Engineers will also be replacing service pipes to properties and will need access to affected properties and to briefly disconnect the gas supply to complete the work. Affected properties will be notified.
Steve Edwards, Principal Engineer at National Grid, said: "We're doing all we can to deliver this essential work with minimal impact to the local community.
"We'll be keeping people informed of our work as things progress."
He added: "It's very important that people ask to see official identification before letting people into their properties. All our engineers carry official identity cards and people should ask to see these before letting them in."
For further information on the project or to verify the identity of an engineer call 0800 096 5678.
Information on the work will also be on roadworks.org