We have been advised that in the new year Hadham Road will be closed for works by Cadent Gas.
We have been in direct communication with HCC to understand the situation and make them aware of the impact this will have on businesses and to discuss what can be done to minimise this.
Cadent Gas will be carrying out works on the Hadham Road from 3 January until end of April / Early May and this will require a full closure of the road for this period of time.
The details we have currently are:
Location: A1250 Hadham Road, Bishops Stortford between Bell Lane and Newland Avenue
Dates: 3 January 2023 – 8 May 2023
Traffic Management: 24/7 rolling road closure, extended working hours, 7 day working.
Description: Cadent Gas mains replacement works
More information: This is further to works delivered in January 2021 between Kings Street and Bell Lane which were relatively successful. It is essential we deliver these works prior to the summer 2023 when we are looking to carry out much needed carriageway resurfacing works along A1250.
We have had extensive conversations with Cllr Horner (HCC) about the works, the impact on business, and works on the wider road network. On our behalf he has spoken with officers to make them aware and look at what can be done. As a result we have had the following information back from HCC:
- Compact closures, restricted to small sections to enable as much access for residents either side of the closures as possible.
- Extended working hours 8am – 8pm Monday – Friday, 9am – 7pm Saturday and 9am – 5pm Sundays.
- Increased resources on site to increase productivity.
- Advanced warning boards and residents’ letters 2 weeks prior to works start.
- Collaboration with other contractors to facilitate new utility connections at the junction with Cricketfield Lane and vegetation clearance between Cricketfield Lane & Maple Avenue all within the one closure.
- Limiting use of surrounding road network for other works to minimise disruption to Bishops Stortford.
These measures, they tell us, have helped to reduce the overall works duration by several weeks, providing there are no on-site engineering difficulties or adverse weather conditions.
There will be weekly meetings with Cadent Gas and HCC throughout the project to ensure it is progressing as planned and to address any issues.
Please note the works may be subject to changes and/or extensions at short notice.
We did query if a closure was essential, and could the works not be done with traffic lights, but unfortunately this is not an option and we also requested other works around the town be limited during this period. This is the answer we received on that:
“Closure, rather than traffic lights are required because of the location of the works in the road and is required under national standards for safety reasons. Night working, which may have been an alternative has been rejected due to the proximity of houses and the interests of residents given the duration of the works. I have been assured that no other roadworks will be permitted on main routes in Bishop’s Stortford for the duration of the works in response to the complaints made by BID and others. Of course, this does not rule out any emergencies arising during this period.”
All properties on the road should be receiving letters this week and advance warning signage should be going up. You can keep up to date on the plans by checking here: https://one.network/uk/hertfordshire.
Please advise your staff and delivery drivers of upcoming closure so they can plan ahead.
We will be assessing the set up on 3 January with the signage and will liaise with HCC throughout as required.
We will also be putting out messages on our Discover Stortford channels in the new year to ensure the public are aware the town centre is open for business during this closure.
