Busy town centre road shuts for 6 MONTHS for ‘essential’ works as project boss admits it’s ‘far from ideal’
ROAD works have started on a busy town road which is set to be closed for another six months.
Gas distribution company, Cadent, is replacing 1.8 miles worth of metallic gas pipes that are nearly 120 years old along a town centre.
The old pipes located in Woodbridge Road, Ipswich will be replaced with new plastic ones, with the project expected to be completed in October and last for decades.
Project manager Gary Tidman labelled the works “essential” and said they are doing their best to keep disruption to a minimum by making use of the school half-term and summer holidays.
He added: “We know it’s far from ideal to have any sort of road closures or traffic management in place in what is a busy area, but we have worked hard with the local authorities to create a plan that keeps traffic flowing and maintains access for local businesses and residents.”
The large project is being approached in phases.
This comes after concerns were raised around the length of the closures from both locals and community leaders in the area.
Ipswich borough councillor Alasdair Ross said: “The gas pipe needs replacing but it seems that this issue has run for a long time and parts of Woodbridge Road have been dug up every other week.”
A local, Julie Robinson, also added: “They keep digging up the road over and over again, and it just does not feel necessary to do it this much.”
Closures will move along the 1.1 mile stretch of Woodbridge Road, with traffic lights and closures to side roads implemented to ensure traffic is able to flow continually.
Surrounding properties are said to have continual access to gas around the year.
Woodbridge Road connects the centre of Ipswich to the town’s hospital, and contains various restaurants, stores, and homes along its stretch.
Work on the pipes was due to start earlier this month but delayed when a gas leak was found along the road which needed to be fixed.
A spokesman for Cadent said: “Everything is under control, and no-one need worry, but this needs to be fixed before the mains upgrade work can happen.”
They claim the work is crucial for residents’ safety by ensuring gas supplies are connected and reliable.