City road closes for four weeks for gas works

There will be no through traffic whilst the closure is in place, except for buses

A road in Peterborough has been closed for up to four weeks so that gas works can take place. Cadent is replacing 700m of ageing metal mains pipes with modern plastic ones.

The works will be taking place along Flaxland, Hudds Meadow and Rightwell East. Flaxland closed today (September 1) from the junction with the side road to Aldi to where Rightwell East begins (the side road junction to the Bretton Medical Practice).

No traffic will be allowed along Flaxland for up to four weeks, excluding buses. Temporary traffic lights will be in operation on Hudds Meadow and Rightwell East during the final sections of work.

Amber Greensmith, Head of Customer Experience at Cadent, said: “The metallic pipes that are in place in this section of the network have been very well used over the past 60 years and it’s time for them to be replaced so that we can continue to deliver gas to peoples’ homes 24/7, 365 days a year.

“These upgrades also have big environmental gains, as they reduce methane emissions and enable a move to more renewable gases like biomethane. This is essential for a cleaner future – the UK will need energy to come from a range of sources to meet demand and be sustainable.

“No gas supplies will be impacted whilst we complete this project. We hope people understand this project is essential to maintain a long-term safe gas supply.”

The metal pipes were laid in 1960, meaning they have been quietly doing their job beneath the street for more than 60 years. While they have served the community well, the time has come to swap them out for newer plastic alternatives, which are more durable, safer and better suited to the demands of a modern gas network.

The project is part of a £123million investment this year, which will see more than 395km of pipes upgraded across the East of England.