Chelmsford's Christmas shopping season could be thrown into chaos by plans to replace gas mains on the A130 for five weeks from the end of October.

The disruptive project at the bottleneck Army and Navy roundabout hinges on the results of a soil survey currently being analysed, which could mean roads being dug up and extensive traffic delays.

The work would add to difficulties already caused by the weight ban on another major approach road into Chelmsford at Widford Bridge.

But the mains work will not clash with plans to totally close the Army and Navy flyover for essential engineering, which will now take place between tomorrow and next Thursday.

The gas mains repairs will be delayed until after Essex County Council civil engineers have completed safety checks on concrete sections of the flyover.

The council said that the examination was routine and was not based on anything suspicious.

The town's traders, however, are left uncertain as to what is going to happen to their key Christmas commerce.

Mick McDonagh, head of High Chelmer shopping centre, said: "We just hope they do not have to dig the roads up. If that is the option, we hope we will be consulted to talk about the possibility of postponing the gas work until after the Christmas rush.

Pipe company Transco claims that analysis of subsoil structure will take another week, and pipe work cannot begin before October 28.

"Sadly, we are still uncertain whether the project is going to mean digging up the carriageways with resulting traffic hold-ups or whether they can use remote subterranean boring gear which avoids traffic disruption," said Transco.

Published Friday October 18, 2002

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