Six weeks of roadworks on way near Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley

More than 700 metres of gas pipes will be repaired as part of the project run by Cadent in Hilderic Crescent and Stourbridge Road, near Dudley’s Russells Hall Hospital.

Chiefs said there will be a temporary lane closure in Stourbridge Road – meaning just one lane of traffic for vehicles travelling towards the busy Scotts Green Island.

Work is due to start on Monday. The lane closure in Stourbridge Road is due to be removed before the end of this month.

Cadent said the existing iron mains will be replaced with ‘tough, durable plastic pipes that will last at least 80 years’.

The roadworks were described as ‘vital’ and ‘essential’ by Cadent.

Stephen Murray, who heads up the firm’s gas mains replacement programme in the West Midlands, said: “Our work is vital to keep energy flowing.

“This essential project is a significant investment to ensure that local people continue to enjoy safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking and heating.

“We appreciate this is a busy area and we have planned the project for the school summer holidays when traffic is usually lighter to help ensure that any disruption is reduced.

“We appreciate people’s patience and co-operation while we do this work.”

Councillor Hilary Bills, the Labour group spokesman for environmental services , said: “I hope people visiting the hospital will bear with us as the roads need to be repaired. If the council has decided the work needs to be done then it will have to be done. The ouncil doesn’t spend money doing roads up for no reason.”

Caden said the scheme has been planned and arranged with Dudley Council. The project is part of Cadent’s £65 million programme to renew 230 miles of gas pipes in the West Midlands this year., which will ‘ensure gas supplies continue to reach two million homes and businesses in the region’.