RESIDENTS on London Road in Stanford-le-Hope, and those who will be impacted across the wider area, will be briefed this evening (Wednesday, 10 December) at a meeting in the town about how a major gas main under the road will be replaced during the early months of 2026.

For a number of years the road has been blighted by a number of leaks from the old main, meaning installation of single lane traffic lights and even complete road closures and diversions while repairs are carried out.

One spot, which has been dug up several times, has been dubbed 'the hole that won't go away'.

However, gas company Cadent has now decided to replace the whole main, which will be a lengthy process running from early January to March.

The work will be done in stages. Full details have already been circulated directly to residents but officials from the company will be at a meeting at East Thurrock Community Association on Corringham Road, Stanford, this evening, starting at 5.30pm where they will be happy to answer questions.

Misleading signage around Stanford.

The works are being run under approval from Thurrock Council, though publicity has already gone awry, with electronic message boards on show around the town giving incorrect information about where the meeting is.

The schedule of works and closures to take place on London Road is as follows:-

January 5 to 25^th. Road closure from the railway crossing to outside 15 London Road. Junction closures on London Road to Butts Road, Runnymede Road, Ruskin Road and Poley Road.

January 26 to 1 February. Temporary traffic lights on London Road from Ruskin Road to Rayleigh Road. Junction closures on London Road to Kingsman Road and Rayleigh Road.

February 2 to 8^th. Temporary traffic lights on London Road and Caldwell Road. Junction closure on London Road to Kingsman Road.

February 9 to 15^th. Multiway lights on London Road and Caldwell Road.

February 16 to 1 March. Directional westbound closure on London Road from the junction of Caldwell Road to the junction of Stanford Road. Junction closure on London Road to Butts Lane.

The works are almost certain to mean changes or deviation to local bus services during the duration of the work as the 100, 200, 201, 375 and Z4 routes use it.

At times during the works residents will also have turn off their gas supplies on one or two separate days.