Yes. These works are essential to maintain the safety and reliability of the local gas pipe network.

This project will upgrade the final section of the gas network in the Tarpots area, which supplies gas to homes and businesses in the area. Completing these works now will help ensure the network continues to provide a safe and reliable gas supply for the local community now and long into the future.

We understand that roadworks can be inconvenient and we are committed to completing the project as safely and efficiently as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum.

The signed diversion route at Sadlers Farm follows the A130, then the A127 to Rayleigh Weir, before returning via Rayleigh Road, Kiln Road, and back onto London Road.

For local journeys, a shorter diversion is available via High Road and Kents Hill Road.

If you are travelling in the opposite direction, simply follow the diversion route in reverse. All diversion signs are in place to guide motorists safely in both directions.

The condition of the existing gas pipes means that these upgrades cannot be postponed indefinitely.

Over the years, sections of the gas network along London Road have required multiple repairs due to their age and deterioration. If the pipes were not upgraded, further repairs would become increasingly likely, resulting in unplanned roadworks, greater disruption to traffic, and a higher risk of interruptions to gas supplies for local properties.

While we recognise that this project will cause some temporary disruption, completing the upgrade now is the most effective long-term solution. It will help reduce the need for future emergency repairs, minimise ongoing disruption to residents, businesses and road users, and improve the reliability of the gas network.

In the long term, these works will help ensure local homes and businesses continue to have a safe and reliable gas supply.

Wherever possible, we use a method called insertion, which is one of the most efficient and least disruptive ways of upgrading gas pipes.

This involves installing a new gas pipe within the existing pipe. To do this, we need to excavate a number of carefully planned access points along the route, allowing our engineers to insert and connect the new pipe safely.

Using this method helps reduce the number of excavations required, minimises disruption to the surrounding area, and allows us to complete the upgrade more efficiently while maintaining a safe and reliable gas supply for the future.

We're committed to completing this project as safely and efficiently as possible.

The work involves upgrading a priority section of the gas network and installing approximately 264 metres of new gas pipe in Phase 4. To minimise the overall duration of the project, we will be working 24 hours a day during Phase 4, with multiple teams working in shifts.

Before starting any project, we carefully assess the location of our gas pipes and select the safest and most effective traffic management arrangements. For this section of London Road, a temporary road closure allows us to complete the work in approximately three weeks. Alternative options, such as temporary traffic signals, were considered but would have extended this phase of the project to around ten weeks, resulting in longer-lasting congestion and disruption for residents, businesses and road users.

By carrying out the work under a road closure, we can complete the upgrade in the shortest practical timeframe and restore normal traffic conditions much sooner.

No. Access across the wider Tarpots area will be maintained throughout the project.

High Road will remain open with a lane closure in place, and Rushbottom Lane will remain open for the duration of the works. The temporary road closure only affects a section of London Road either side of High Road and Rushbottom Lane, extending to approximately outside numbers 85 and 127 respectively.

Clearly signposted diversion routes will be in place to help road users travel through the area safely and efficiently.

No. The planned closure in Phase 4 is programmed for 25 July until 15 August 2026 (approximately three weeks).

To reduce the overall length of the project and minimise disruption to the local community, some of the work will be carried out on a 24-hour basis during Phase 4.

Working continuously allows our teams to complete critical activities more quickly and avoid extending the duration of the road closure. If work were restricted to daytime hours only, the project would take significantly longer to complete, resulting in more disruption for residents, businesses and road users.

We will take all reasonable steps to minimise noise and disturbance wherever possible, while carrying out these essential works safely.

Yes. We have been working closely with local bus operators to help ensure services can continue throughout the project.

Buses will use the signed diversion routes and bus stops will be temporarily suspended during the works. We recommend allowing a little extra time for your journey and checking directly with your bus operator for the latest service updates. (First Bus has published their routes on their website.)

We thank passengers for their patience while these essential upgrades are completed.

Yes. We work closely with all emergency services when planning our projects. The emergency services have been fully informed about the works and traffic management arrangements. They are satisfied that they will be able to continue providing emergency response services throughout the duration of the project. 

Public safety remains our highest priority, and arrangements are in place to ensure emergency access can be maintained if required.

We have a detailed project plan in place and will closely monitor progress throughout the works. Additional resources, including multiple teams and 24-hour working during key phases, have been scheduled to help complete the project as efficiently as possible.

Every effort is being made to deliver the works within the planned timescales and minimise disruption. If there are any significant changes to the programme, we will keep residents and businesses informed.

Our work to replace ageing gas mains is a major engineering project, which we’ve planned carefully with the local authority and where possible, we’ll use innovative methods and technology to minimise disruption and reduce the time taken to do this work.

We are working extended hours but not 24hrs. We do not want to disturb people at night when they are sleeping.

We need to carry out our work during the day as we need access to properties to upgrade their gas service (that’s the smaller pipe that connects gas to their property). When we do this, we need to turn off their gas supply temporarily, test their gas appliances and turn their gas back on.

We’ve notified the bus companies of our works and plans are in place for buses to follow the diversions. Bus stop suspensions will be in place during the final phase of works.

This is a common question we encounter; we’ve contacted the refuse companies to advise them of our work and we’ll work closely with them to ensure collections take place as normal on the dedicated day each week.

There may be times when the team isn’t visible on site during the allotted hours. Although it may appear that no one is working at the site itself, they’ll be working in surrounding roads to insert pipes, make connections and to carry out testing, as well as allow for concrete curing. It is only once we are satisfied that the new pipe is safely supplying gas to customers that we can fill in the holes and tidy up.

Yes, we will maintain access to properties during road closures.

Yes, we will endeavour to keep footpaths open as the majority of our pipes are in the carriageway

Yes, HGV’s will need to follow the signposted diversions.

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