Six week road closure for gas pipe works

Drivers are being warned to expect significant delays due to a road closure.

A section of Church Road in Earley will be closed for six weeks between Woodlands Avenue and Culver Lane due to gas pipe replacement works from Monday 17 February.

A spokesperson from Scotia Gas Network (SGN) said: "The works are necessary to upgrade the gas network infrastructure in the road."

Reading Borough Council has advised road users to find alternative routes and avoid peak times where possible.

The road is a key route into east Reading from Wokingham borough and long delays are expected to impact drivers.

A signed diversion route will be in place via the B3350 Pitts Lane, A4 London Road, Reading Road, Headley Road, Loddon Bridge Road, Crockhamwell Road and Woodlands Avenue.

A temporary three-way traffic lights is currently in operation at the junctions of Eastcourt Avenue and Palmerstone Road as engineers are already on site.

Reading Borough Councillor, John Ennis said the six-week closure is likely to have a "significant impact in east Reading, and particularly along the London Road during peak time hours".

He added: "We understand that the replacement of gas pipes by SGN are essential works but we are advising all road users to build some additional time into their journeys over the next six weeks."

A spokesperson for SGN said: "The works are necessary to upgrade the gas network infrastructure in the road, replacing the old metal pipes which have reached the end of their life with plastic pipes.

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