More details have emerged about roadworks that could see part of a busy road in Wokingham closed for five months.
Brief information of the closure of Heathlands Road appeared on the one.network roadworks platform last week, stating the works by gas distribution company SGN will run from July 1 until November 1.
Some residents have also received letters from gas company SGN advising of the planned works, however those have come before Wokingham Borough Council has granted permission for the work.
A spokesperson for SGN told Wokingham Today: ”I can confirm we haven’t announced any work in this area yet.
“We have only submitted an advance works permit, which automatically generates on to one.network without our involvement.
“We are liaising with the local authority, and once the permit has been approved we will share information about this project.”
Chris Easton, assistant director for highways and transport at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “In terms of coordination, our street works team assess permit applications from all parties by looking at the location of the works, whether there are any works on parallel or diversion routes, the importance of the work, the impact on public transport, and the impact on pedestrians, schools, businesses and residents.
“There are certain specific criteria that would allow us to refuse an application, but utility companies have the right to maintain and improve their networks.”
He added that utility companies are required to notify residents and businesses that will be directly impacted by their planned works prior to the work taking place.
“They are also required to put signs up about any planned works prior to the work happening. They are not required, however, to formally consult residents or businesses.
“We understand that some residents in the Wokingham Without area have received letters from SGN regarding a road closure of Heathlands Road for 22 weeks.
“Essential work does need to take place on this road, but the specifics of the work including timescales are yet to be agreed.
“SGN will be sending out another letter once we have agreed on an appropriate plan which keeps disruption to a minimum.”
A spokesperson for Heathlands Road-based Squire’s Garden Centre told Wokingham Today: “We have been made aware of the work to be carried out by SGN from July.
“The centre will remain open throughout, and we hope we can work with SGN to ensure that there is minimal disruption to our centre and our customers’ visits.
“We are awaiting further information from SGN regarding the phasing of their work, and so cannot comment on the impact at Squire’s Wokingham at this stage.”
A spokesperson for Dog Trouble Foundation, also based on Heathlands Road, confirmed it had not received any notifications about the work, and highlighted how their location has a number of small businesses that have the potential to be impacted.
Bradley Barlow, spokesperson for SGN, told Wokingham Today the planned work will see the replacement of an old metal pipe with new plastic ones.”
In terms of the closure itself, he said: “There will be access for residents and businesses by car from Easthampstead Road.
“There will also be a signed diversion route in place with access maintained from Easthampstead Road only, and not from the Nine Mile Ride end.
“All other businesses can be accessed by foot.
The adjacent Nine Mile Ride was only recently closed for 19 weeks by SGN, but they said they were unable to close ‘two major routes’ in close proximity at the same time.
“We also need to be mindful of the pressures within our gas network,” the spokesperson added.
