Hungerford "heading for traffic chaos"

Vital gas main works will last nine weeks, says West Berkshire Council

VITAL works at to replace an old, cast iron gas main will cause traffic chaos in Hungerford town centre, it was claimed this week.

West Berkshire Council has warning motorists that gas company Wales and West Utilities is due to begin essential replacement work on the A338 at High Street, Bridge Street, and Salisbury Road from today (Thursday) for around nine weeks.

There will be temporary traffic lights in place 24 hours a day for the duration of the project.

Council spokesman Phil Spray said: “These will be manually controlled by workers from the utility company on site during peak times to minimise disruption to traffic. The timing has been co-ordinated so as not to clash with the installation of the new footbridge due to get underway soon.”

However, spokesman for Hungerford Chamber of Commerce, Nigel Perrin, said: “This will certainly affect parking and traffic flow in the town centre. We appreciate that these are essential works but they will cause traffic chaos.

“It seems a pity that the works can't be carried out outside of rush hour, such as early mornings or late evenings. We would have preferred it if they could have worked around peak times.”