Chester drivers ‘tolerant’ of grid work disruption

Jan 12 2012 Chester Chronicle

CHESTER residents have been ‘tolerant’ of the disruption caused by the closure of some of Chester’s busiest roads for vital gas works, say National Grid bosses.

Drivers have had to change their usual route since the extensive work began this week, closing Upper Northgate Street and Parkgate Road between the Fountains Roundabout and traffic signal junction at Walpole Street.

It means vehicles travelling north from the city centre are being forced to follow a diversion route along Lower Watergate Street, New Crane Street and Deva Link, causing severe disruption to journeys, as workers replace old metal gas pipes with new smaller plastic ones.

But despite the disturbance, which is set to last for at least eight weeks, it appears to be business as usual for Chester residents, after being given prior notice of the new arrangements.

“We’ve had no complaints in Chester at all,” said Jeanette Unsworth, spokesperson for the National Grid.

“We’ve been working for about four years now doing gas works in the city and in my experience, if we warn people in enough advance that these works are going to be taking place, that’s what the people want.

“In this case, we’ve had posters and light-up display boards up around the city since before Christmas,” she added.

“We say it’s short term pain for long term gain – once this work is done, chances are we won’t have to touch it again for about 80 years.”