Severe delays warning
Motorists are being warned of severe delays when heading into and out of north Leamington when works get underway on a new gas line.
National Grid has informed Warwickshire County Council that it is to start work on a major mains improvement project on Monday, May 18.
The works will take about six months and stretch along the A452 from the A46 to Leamington town centre, near the top of the Parade. National Grid has warned the county council that the works will at times mean temporary traffic lights and road closures.
As a result the county council is attempting to inform the public of the delays motorists will face over the next few months in north Leamington, particularly when heading to and from the Kenilworth direction.
The work is being carried out by the West Midlands Gas Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and utilities company Morgan Est. The project is part of National Grid’s 30 year programme to improve the safety and reliability of the gas supply network by replacing all metal gas pipes that lie within 30m of property.
The work entails the renewal of the old medium pressure pipe running along the A452 from its junction with the A46 to Leamington Spa town centre.
National Grid Project Manager Stan Best said: “I realise this work is likely to cause disruption to motorists but I ask them to bear with us. This is essential work needed to ensure the safe and reliable gas supply in Leamington Spa.
“This old metal 18” diameter main has come to the end of its operational life and needs to be renewed. We will be replacing it with a new plastic pipe that, once in the ground, will last for up to 80 years with little or no maintenance.
“Unfortunately road works are disruptive for motorists but, throughout the planning of this project, we have worked closely with the county council to keep that disruption to a minimum and will doing our utmost to ensure that traffic is kept flowing.”