We're upgrading the gas network pipes in Heathlands Road, Wokingham, replacing our old metal gas mains and services with new plastic pipes. This essential work will ensure your community continues to receive a safe and reliable gas supply.
You may have received a letter from us advising that the work will start on 1 July. This date has now been amended and we will start work on Monday 8 July - sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Our contractor, I & G Contractors, will be completing this project on our behalf and work is expected to finish in November.
It is inevitable with work of this nature that there will be some unavoidable disruption, however, we design our projects to try and keep this to a minimum for road users and the local community. To keep everyone safe, we will need to close Heathlands Road; a rolling road closure will be in place while we are working there.
The road will be temporarily closed in sections as we progress from the junction of Easthampstead Road to the junction of Hatch Ride. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses and a signed diversion route will be in place on Easthampstead Road, Old Wokingham Road and Nine Mile Ride. As we move along the road, access may change to the opposite end of the road.
Update: 22 August 2024
This essential project will now continue along Easthampstead Road to further enhance the safety and reliability of our gas supply network.
What are we doing?
In addition to replacing the old metal pipes with new PE pipes, we will also be diverting sections of the gas main in preparation for the South Wokingham Distributor Road project. This proactive approach is designed to minimise future disruptions, ensuring that once this work is complete, there will be no need for us to return at a later date.
Where will the work take place?
Our engineers will be working from Monday 2 September for approximately two weeks, at the junction of Heathlands Road and Easthampstead Road. To ensure the safety of everyone around the work area, we will need to close the road at this junction. Once our engineers are past the junction, it will be reopened but the rest of Easthampstead Road will remain closed for approximately seven weeks between Heathlands Road and Redlake Lane.
What does this mean for you?
- Access to homes and businesses will be maintained and a signed diversion route will be in place.
- The alternative route for all northbound vehicles affected by the closure will be via Old Wokingham Road, Waterloo Road, William Heelas Way, A329 London Road and A329 Peach Street.
- The alternative route for all southbound vehicles affected by the closure shall be via A329 Peach Street, A329 Broad Street, A329 Rectory Road, A329 Wiltshire Road, A329 London Road, William Heelas Way, Waterloo Road and Old Wokingham Road.
- Please check with your local bus company to see if bus timings have changed and ensure that deliveries and visitors are made aware of the diversion route.
- Please allow extra time for your journey.
How will this affect your journey?
- Please check your bus provider’s website for changes to your route and time as some bus stops may be suspended.
- Please ensure that visitors, suppliers, or delivery drivers are aware of the restrictions and changes.
- Your journey may take longer, please factor this into your journey time.
We understand that people can get frustrated by roadworks, and therefore we only use traffic management that we feel is efficient enough to complete these works safely for ourselves and the public.
Frequently asked questions
Why do you need to replace the pipe?
The original metal gas pipes now need replacing with PE Plastic Pipe. The new pipe will ensure that we are able to continue to provide a safe and reliable gas supply to the community. Replacing the pipe will greatly reduce the risk of the pipe leaking and the supply being interrupted until repairs can be made.
Will there be an interruption to my gas supply?
As part of the replacement works there may be a requirement to interrupt the gas supply to your property during the works. You will be given at least five working days’ notice of the date(s) of any interruptions.
Why do you close a road or install temporary traffic lights?
There are regulations relating to the amount of space required to work safely. If the road doesn’t meet these requirements, we must use traffic management to ensure the safety of everyone around our worksite.
The road is closed but there doesn’t appear to be anyone working on site.
There will be times when there is traffic management or work site in place, and no one can be seen working on site. This can be for many reasons, such as:
- Awaiting reinstatement activities, such as concrete curing or tarmac delivery etc.
- Engineers working on another part of the project nearby but out of sight.
- Engineers requiring comfort breaks to eat etc.
- They may be collecting new supplies or arranging for changes to the planned work.