ST IVES’S ancient Grade I-listed bridge will be closed to vehicles for the next two weeks for emergency repairs to a leaking gas main.
Nation Grid engineers discovered the leak when they were preparing for routine replacement work scheduled to take place on the centuries-old structure next year.
The company’s contractors, Morrison Utility Services, until recently an Anglian Water subsidiary, will be installing a new plastic pipe inside the existing (leaking) steel gas main.
Morrison’s business support manager Chris Naylor said: “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. However, safety is our top priority.
“We have looked at a number of methods to repair the pipe, but none of these is suitable and our only option now is to replace the main.
“To reduce disruption we are aiming to insert the new plastic pipe into the existing metal main, and every effort will be made to complete the work as soon as possible.”
The bridge will remain open to pedestrians. The gas main in the bridge was due to have been replaced next year, as part of a programme starting in January to replace 370 metres of gas pipes in the town.
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