LONDON Road low pressure gas works finished last week (Friday 25 August) – seven days earlier than anticipated – after hitting unforeseen issues accessing pipework.
Although stopping before the school summer holidays are over, which is welcomed, it leaves a stretch of road towards the West Thurrock Way roundabout incomplete and due to be reprogrammed for 2018.
Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport, Cllr Brian Little said: “We have known that Cadent have experienced increasing difficulties accessing the pipe work due to the sheer volume of digging necessary following years of patch jobs, but we won’t allow an extension to the road works permit which will impact on school runs and commuters.”
Although the last stretch will need to be completed as soon as possible, the gas pipes which have not yet been replaced are safe, although may still be subject to breakdowns in emergency situations.
“The Network Management team at Thurrock Council have been making regular visits and conducting inspections as well as meeting Cadent, TRIIO, local bus operators and intu Lakeside on a weekly basis to ensure disruption to residents is minimised in every way possible.
“It is disappointing to not be able to complete all seven phases of the works, but I am pleased five have been done safely and at minimal disruption to local residents and road users.
“In the next couple of weeks, we’ll see many people returning back to work and school which always put additional pressures on the highways. My priority is to ensure that these works are wrapped up before that time comes – which will be the case.
“We are working with Cadent to organise another date to come back and complete the work. We want to see this problem resolved for good and although I appreciate this can be disruptive, the replacement works taking place are nethe quick fix patch repairs which simply don’t last very long.”
Looking to next year’s medium pressure gas works, Cllr Little added: “Preparations for medium pressure gas works are still underway and details about locations and work being undertaken will be released once agreed.
“I would like to thank the Network Management team and Cadent for their hard work, but also thank everybody affected by the works for their ongoing patience and understanding.”
An unrelated gas leak is being fixed on London road, but on the other side of West Thurrock Way which will be resolved by next Friday (1 September).
For information about road works taking place across Thurrock, visit: thurrock.roadworks.org
