Telford gas mains works brought forward to avoid school run clashes

A planned replacement of gas mains which would have caused chaos for two Telford school runs has been brought forward so it takes place during the summer holidays.

National Grid Gas were planning on carrying out the repairs in Lawley in October but this has been changed after Telford & Wrekin Council carried out consultation with Lawley and Overdale Parish Council.

The works are due to start on site on Monday 25 July for a period of up to eight weeks and will involve lane closures of the various arms of the main crossroads in Lawley and a two week closure of Pepper Mill from Monday August 1.

The two schools in close proximity to the works are Lawley Primary and Lawley Village Academy. Had the works taken place in October, it would have led to significant disruption for all road users, particularly parents taking children to and from school.

Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Transport, said: “We have taken the decision to bring these works forward in a bid to reduce impact on the road network when it is at its busiest.

“This has meant reducing the amount of time that the works need to be advertised for and therefore they will start at very short notice. However, the reduction to potential disruption that this results in makes the change worth doing.

“That said, we do appreciate that these works will still cause disruption for road users over the next few weeks and so I would like to thank motorists and residents in advance for their patience and co-operation while the works are carried out.”

Ward member Councillor Jayne Greenaway, who was consulted on the decision to bring the works forward, said: “This is the right decision and will see National Grid Gas carry out the work at a point when a lot of people are on holiday and schools are closed.

“The works will still cause disruption but its better than the alternative of them being done in October when both schools are open.”