Pipe-laying monster is a cut above

A HUGE machine has been brought in to try and speed up the pipe-laying operation on the A425 near Leamington.

National Grid hired the cutting machine to chop through the surface of the road after Warwickshire County Council stressed that, as the busiest road in Warwickshire, it cannot remain closed into December and will have to re-open – even if the works have not been completed.

Highways engineers at the county council have also informed National Grid not to go across the Chesford Bridge – instead they are going through the fields to the north of the bridge.

National Grid is also looking at ‘no dig’ techniques for the works on the approach to Kenilworth.

Councillor Alan Cockburn, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for the environment, said: “We have worked closely over the last 12 months bringing sections forward and encouraging them to use no dig techniques to keep disruption to a minimum.

“This is an example of true partnership working. They need to complete the work and we need the disruption kept to a minimum.”

Warwickshire County Council has also been told that National Grid intends to use one of these machines at the other end of the road close to Southam, to reduce traffic disruption there as well.

National Grid project manager, Stan Best, said: “This work is part of a major project to replace a large 18-inch diameter metal main with new, hard-wearing plastic pipe.

“Unfortunately, because of the size of the pipe and its position in the road we cannot work safely while keeping the traffic flowing. Therefore we will have to close this stretch of road while the work is being done.

“Unfortunately roadworks are disruptive, but we are working closely with Warwickshire County Council to keep that disruption to a minimum.

“I would ask motorists to bear with us while we carry out this essential work.”

The work is being carried out by the West Midlands Gas Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and leading utilities company Morgan Est.

The project is part of National Grid’s 30-year programme to improve the safety and reliability of the gas supply network by replacing all metal gas pipes that lie within 30m of property.