Motorists in Westcliff face 16 weeks of disruption as major gas works are carried out.

Temporary traffic works will be in place in London Road and Valkyrie Road, Westcliff, from January 5.

Transco, the gas company, will be carrying out the work, which it says is essential to improve gas supplies to homes and businesses.

A spokesman said the work forms part of Transco's ongoing mains replacement programme, developed in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive.

That means all metal mains have to be replaced with new plastic pipe within 30 metres of buildings.

Steve Bunker, network operations manager for Transco, said: "It is vital this work is carried out if local homes and businesses want to continue to benefit from a reliable and enhanced gas supply.

"All work has been planned and agreed with the local authority and at the request of the council the project has been brought forward in order not to impact on their resurfacing work later in the spring."

For further information about the work, call 01277 814800. The project will, it is estimated, take approximately 16 weeks to complete.

Published Friday January 2, 2004

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