RESIDENTS in Stanford-le-Hope have been told that the major disruption caused by the replacement of a gas main in the town will go on for much longer than expected.

The work on London Road to replace the degrading old main began in early January and was expected to be completed by the end of February.

However, that's no longer going to happen and road closures and bus diversions will go on much longer.

The existing pipes were laid in 1930 and over the years there have been multiple repairs, resulting in extensive traffic management – with repeated works on the same place getting media notoriety about 'the hole that won't go away.'

A statement from Cadent, which is the company carrying out the work, says: "While we planned this work very carefully, we've encountered multiple unforeseen engineering difficulties meaning we can no longer insert the new gas pipe as planned and we need to dig an open excavation for the full length of the pipe to upgrade it.

"By changing our engineering method, it will ensure that all homes and businesses in the area maintain a safe and reliable gas supply while we carry out these works and into the future.

Cadent add:

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● Junction closures on Butts Road and Runnymede Road will remain closed for a further two weeks.

●London Road will remain closed from Ruskin Road to the railway crossing until 1^st March. The road closure will be extended to Rayleigh Road in approximately three weeks time.

●Buses will remain on diversion with bus stops suspended until 1 March.

●Junction closures on Kingsman Road and Rayleigh Road are postponed for approximately three weeks.

●Works from Caldwell Road to Stanford Road will be postponed to a later date in the future.

Details of the works are available at cadentgas.com/Stanford.

Traffic delays in Stanford are likely to be increased tomorrow (Tuesday, 3 February) because of works to make the pedestrian crossing on King Street safer. The work has been in the planning for some time, and with a substantial amount of future work planned in the town centre, the council felt it best to go-ahead rather than further congest the schedule.

A spokesperson for Thurrock Council, which is carrying out the work, explained the decision, saying: "The works are being done under stop/go boards between 10am and 3pm, so the traffic will be managed to ensure there is good movement. 

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"There are a lot of planned works in Stanford over the next three months so the team have been tight on co-ordination but clearly there will be challenges trying to accommodate it all."