26 May 2015
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Businesses and householders invited to learn more at public meeting
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Cavendish Road, Clare, to be closed while work is under way
National Grid is urging people in the Suffolk village of Clare and the surrounding area to come and find out more about forthcoming gas mains renewal work at a public meeting next Tuesday (2 June).
The gas network company is holding the meeting at Clare Town Hall, starting at 7pm. The event will give businesses and residents the chance to ask questions and find out more about plans to upgrade nearly half a kilometre of iron gas mains in Cavendish Road, Clare.
The seven-week project, which is due to start mid-July, will ensure safe and reliable gas supplies to local homes and businesses until the end of the century. The existing iron mains will be replaced with tough, hardwearing plastic pipes that will last at least 80 years.
To safeguard engineers and road-users, Cavendish Road will be closed from Church Street to Harp Lane while the work is under way. Businesses in Clare will remain open as usual throughout the works.
Vince Doggett of National Grid said: "We would urge people to attend our information event so we can discuss the work with them, answer their questions and address any concerns. It is essential that we replace ageing gas mains so that local residents and businesses can continue to enjoy safe and reliable gas supplies long into the future.
"We have explored every option but unfortunately a road closure of Cavendish Road in this case is unavoidable. Every effort will be made to complete the work as soon as we can and minimize disruption to local people."
The bulk of the work will take place during the school summer holidays to reduce the disruption to local communities and the road network. While Cavendish Road is closed, the following diversion route will be in place: A1092 towards Long Melford, A134 towards Bury St Edmunds, A1302, A143 towards Haverhill, A1017, and then the A1092 towards Clare.
Access to Cavendish Road will be maintained for pedestrians.
Traffic management measures will also be necessary for Church Lane for three weeks during August. Details of these are being confirmed with the Highways Authority and are likely to include temporary traffic lights. Appropriate traffic orders will be in place throughout the works to enable National Grid to adapt traffic management to alleviate congestion and reopen the road as quickly as possible to vehicles in a safe manner.
Businesses affected by the work may be eligible for compensation for loss of business under the Gas Regulations 1996. National Grid representatives will be visiting local businesses over the coming days to discuss the work and provide information about the compensation scheme. Businesses can also find out more by going to www.nationalgrid.com/uk/gas. Anyone not able to attend the information event but who would like to find out more can contact National Grid customer services on 0800 096 5678.