MOTORISTS have been warned of a six-month gas main replacement project spanning 15 miles across Southend.

National Grid plans to start the work next month involving key routes across the town, but bosses have pledged to keep disruption to a minimum Special engineering techniques will be used to minimise disruption caused by the work planned in Westcliff, Thorpe Bay, Southend and Leigh.

The metal gas mains will be replaced with pipes made of polyethylene, a tough material that should ensure they last for decades.

This will be done by digging a seriers of holes to feed the new pipes through the old ones rather digging out a whole trench.

Simon Brown, of National Grid, said: “It’s our job to connect people to the energy they use and the new gas mains will help ensure residents of the borough continue to enjoy a safe and reliable gas supply.

“We’re working closely with the local authority to ensure minimal disruption to the local area.

“We’ll be inserting the new pipes into the old mains wherever possible. This is quicker than laying a brand new pipe and greatly reduces the number of holes we need to dig, and so reduces disruption in the area.”

The work is the second phase of a year-long project, which will start next month and is set to be completed by next April.

Service pipes to properties will also be replaced. Engineers will require access to complete this work and affected properties will be notified in advance.

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for public protection, waste and transport, said: “We have been working with National Grid and have been making sure work on key feeder routes like Fairfax Drive and Prittlewell Chase is done approptriately and quickly. They have to have a license to dig up the roads and return them to the same condition.

We have been particularly keen to ensure any roads which have been recently resurfaced are not damaged.”

RESIDENTS and businesses will be kept informed about the progress of the project. Road signs will also be put up to assist the public.

Residents are reminded it’s vitally important to ask anyone trying to gain access to their property to show their official identity card. For more information and advice on this call 0800 096 5678.

For more information call 0800 0965678 or go to roadworks.org

The following roads will be affected:

WESTCLIFF

Dunster Avenue, Martock Avenue, Brampton Close, Glastonbury Chase, Somerton Avenue, Langport Drive, Taunton Drive, Yeovil Chase, Somerset Avenue, Somerset Crescent, Lympstone Close, Queen Anne’s Drive, Northville Drive, Rochester Drive, Prittlewell Chase, Chase Gardens, Hillborough Road, Fairfax Drive, Highfield Gardens, Highfield Crescent, Highfield Drive, Highfield Way, Ronald Park Avenue, Inverness Avenue.

EASTWOOD

Eastwoodbury Close, Wells Avenue, Avro Road, Vickers Road, Wren Avenue, Wren Close, Bosworth Road, Dering Crescent, Chanton Close, Hartland Close, Dandies Chase, Nobles Green Close, Nobles Green Chase, Flemings Farm Road, Symons Avenue, Leighfields Road, Flamboro Close, Leslie Drive, Leighfields Avenue, Bellhouse Road, The Crest, Pinewood Avenue, Brookfields, Brookfields Close, Chesterfield Crescent, Lambeth Road, Hudson Crescent, Mansell Close, Hudson Road, St Lawrence Gardens, Steeplefield, Applerow, Burfield Close, Orchard Grove, Fairfield Road, Rayleigh Road, Bideford Close, Musket Grove, Grove Hill, Heycroft Road, Sunnybank Close, Whiteways, Fulford Drive, Meakins Close, Blatches Chase.

THORPE BAY

Green Lane, Johnstone Road Roundabout, St Augustines Avenue, Marcus Chase, Marcus Gardens, Fermoy Road, Dungannon Drive, Dungannon Chase, Johnstone Road, Maplin Way, Woodgrange Close, Butterys, Chelsworth Crescent, Chelsworth Close, Rodbridge Drive, Colbert Avenue, Warwick Road, Clieveden Road, Walton Road, Burges Terrace, Lynton Road, Gloucester Terrace.

LEIGH

Ashcombe Close, Little Hays, Larchwood Close, Boyce Hill Close, Thorndon Park Close, Woodberry Close, Southernhay, Eastwood Road North, SOUTHEND Thurlow Drive, North Shoebury Road

SOUTHEND

Thurlow Drive, North Shoebury Road