To: Maidstone Joint Transportation Board
By: KCC Roadworks Co-ordination Team
Date: 10th October 2012
Subject: Gas Works – Maidstone Town Centre
Classification: Information - ongoing
Summary: The Chairman of the JTB has requested this item is reported on until completion of the ongoing Gas Main replacement works within Maidstone.
Morrison Utilities, working on behalf of Southern Gas Networks, are currently working on the third phase of this five phase project on Upper Stone Street. The right hand lane is currently closed between the carpet shop and the further side of the junction with Foster Street. Access onto and from Upper Stone Street is currently via Brunswick Street. Brunswick Street will also require a closure for three weeks from 21st October 2012and the access will then be via Foster Street. There are currently lane closures on Lower Stone Street. The Highway Management Centre and the Roadworks Team are closely monitoring traffic flow and adjusting traffic light timings to keep traffic disruption on Lower Stone Street, Palace Avenue, Mote Road and Wat Tyler Way to a minimum.
The project is progressing well and is currently running five weeks ahead of schedule. SGN will continue to move along Upper Stone Street, continuing the lane closure on the right hand side up to the junction with Waterloo Street, until the Christmas embargo.
After this, SGN will lay an additional main in the left hand lane of Upper Stone Street, and will also be carried out under a lane closure.
From 16th November 2012 until 7th January 2013, we have required all works and lane closures on Upper Stone Street to be removed to minimise disruption in the town centre in the run up to Christmas and the sales. During this period works will continue in the minor roads, to ensure no time is wasted and the works keep to programme.
The forth and fifth phases of this project are Postley Road, and Hayle Road. Originally it was planned to lay the main in Hayle Road at the same time as Upper Stone Street, but the disruption this would cause was considered too great and the fifth phase was added. This was facilitated by starting Lower Stone Street (Phase 2) alongside Knightrider Street (Phase 1) due to the necessity to change the method of work from tunnelling to open cut excavations because of poor ground conditions, and the continued closure of Knightrider Street. These changes helped to regain some time and the works for each phase has been completed ahead of the time expected.
In conclusion, the Roadworks Co-ordination Team will continue to work closely with Maidstone Borough Council and Morrison Utilities to ensure this complicated and high profile project is completed on time and causes the least amount of disruption, and that the reinstatements are completed to the highest quality.
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Contact officer: Barbara Westmacott
Tel: 08458 247800