Busy road connecting UK seaside town to close for 14 WEEKS this summer for ‘everyone’s safety’
A BUSY road near one of Britain's best beaches is set to close 14 weeks this summer.
Drivers have been warned the closure, which kicks in on Monday, April 28, is for "everyone's safety."
Bournemouth is a popular seaside town in the county of Dorset.
In the same county is Walkford, a suburb of the town Christchurch.
Usually, it takes drivers about 23 minutes to get to Bournemouth from Walkford, using Walkford Road.
For those travelling to Bournemouth from Walkford, they will need to follow a diversion route while a dodgy pipe is replaced.
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A finish date for the works has not been confirmed, but the 14 week closure should bring us to the end of August.
The work involves replacing an old metal medium-pressure metal gas pipe with a new plastic pipe.
It will be replaced in Walkford Road between the junctions of Walkford Lane and Hurst Road.
Traffic in both directions will be paused with a signed diversion route in place for drivers.
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The junction of Walkford Lane (right hand fork with Walkford Road/Gore Road) will be closed at its junction with Gore Road.
Drivers will only be able to turn left into Gore Road.
The junction of Chewton Farm Road will also be closed at its junction with Walkford Road.
Drivers can only access Chewton Farm Road from Ringwood Road.
Residents will be kept informed about access arrangements by the on-site team and will be able to reach their properties while the works take place.
SGN contractors I&G Contractors Limited, who are carrying out the work said this is for the safety of the people.
A spokesperson for SNG explained: “Due to the location of the gas main in the road, we’ll need to temporarily close the road between these junctions for the duration of the work for everyone’s safety.”
They added: “The gas pipe we are replacing is the medium-pressure pipe.
"Previous installation work was carried out on our low-pressure pipe.
“To maintain local gas supplies, we were unable to replace both pipes at the same time.
“We understand our work may be disruptive but please be assured our engineers will be doing everything they can to complete these works as quickly and safely as possible.
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“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and understanding.”
An information event about the works was held yesterday between 3pm and 7pm at The Amberwood Inn in Ringwood Road.
