WORRIED residents and councillors have expressed fears an 18-week closure of a main road for gas works has “not been thought through.”

The Fairway in Leigh, a major artery onto the A127, will be closed for more than four months in two phases from Friday, July 23, by the National Grid for vital maintenance works which involve replacing an 18-inch gas main, the largest-ever replaced in Southend.

Tony Byrne, who lives in Woodside, off the Fairway, said: “Four councillors have written to me to say they don’t feel their concerns are being listened to and I don’t think the impact of this is being properly considered. Traffic is going to be pushed onto Bellhouse Lane instead, which hasn’t got the capacity.

“I think the works should be done in four smaller phases to minimise disruption and I think the council should revoke the National Grid’s permit for the works until an external panel of experts can review the plan.

“I’m also really worried about how it’s going to affect businesses in the area. It’s going to starve them for five months but they’re the hub of our community in Belfairs.”

Julian Ware-Lane, a councillor on the traffic and parking working party, said he was concerned issues he felt needed to be addressed weeks ago were only just commencing – such as a dedicated sliproad at Bellhouse Lane. He said: “My impression, from the last meeting of the working party on June 16, is no-one has looked at it. Officers have been asked to look into the Bellhouse Lane junction, but they haven’t given themselves enough time to do the surveys required and actually do the work. It’s essentially a big unknown, but that unknown should have been sorted out weeks ago.”

However, highways councillor Tony Cox said full preparations had been made with the National Grid, emergency services, and businesses. He said: “Businesses, the emergency services, and local residents have been kept informed by the National Grid throughout the process, advance warning signs have already been erected, and appropriate diversions for residents in the nearby areas and local commuters will be in place.

“The National Grid have also spoken to the bus operators who ultimately decide what the best diversion route is to meet their scheduling and passenger needs. It has phased the work to ensure it is completed as quickly as possible and will start during the summer holidays to minimise disruption. They have promised to continue liaising with residents and businesses throughout.”