Gas work misery for motorists
Thousands of Coventry drivers face a month of major delays as contractors work to improve gas supplies in the north of the city.
Coventry Council estimates that about 78,000 drivers a day could be affected by work to replace an iron gas pipe with 230 metres of plastic pipe along Longford Road, Longford.
The work started this week. Gas supplier Transco has put up four-way traffic signals and temporary lights and closed a pedestrian crossing in Longford Road for the work to be carried out.
The temporary traffic signals will be in place at the junction of Longford Road, Windmill Road and Dovedale Avenue for two weeks before moving to Foleshill Road and Arbury Avenue until the work finishes at the end of May.
The pedestrian crossing on Longford Road, by Windmill Road, has been switched off for the work but a patrol will help children cross the road during school opening and closing times.
The work, which costs #84,000 is part of a #15.5bil-lion project to replace 90,000km of iron gas main in the next 30 years.
Davinder Chohan, engineering assistant for traffic management at the city council said: "Longford Road is a very busy road so putting four way lights up is going to cause major delays."
Drivers have been advised to avoid the road by heading for the M6 via the A444 Phoenix Way, or by following Lockhurst Lane, Radford.
A Transco spokesperson said: "There will inevitably be some traffic delays for about four weeks and we apologise to drivers for this but this is a short term inconvenience for what we hope will be a long term benefit."
Plastic pipes were easier to maintain and were expected to last 80 years.
Foleshill