Two miles of gas pipes being replaced in Forres

A £560,000 project has begun to replace over two miles of gas piping in Forres during the next ten months.

Engineers from the energy company SGN are replacing old metal pipes with new ones made from polyethylene.

The company states that new pipes should ensure townsfolk receive a safe and reliable gas supply for many years to come.

A spokesperson from SGN said: "Most of the work will be carried out by a mains insertion technique whereby we insert the new main inside the old one. "This will reduce the need to dig lengthy trenches in the road.

"To minimise disruption, we’re also working closely with Moray Council to plan any necessary traffic management and will be implementing a phased approach some of which will overlap.

"Our work will progress as quickly as possible and we’ll be doing everything we can to limit delays and disruption and to ensure the project remains on schedule, working extended hours or at weekends as required.

"Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles and we’ll ensure that temporary traffic lights will be manually controlled if necessary during peak periods.

"We’re writing to residents and other local stakeholders to make them aware of our project and explain the details of our work."

SGN's phased schedule is set out below, although the dates could alter, depending on how the work goes.

• Phase 1a – April 3 for two weeks – between 11 and 13 Strathcona Road.

• Phase 1b - April 3 for nine weeks – Mannachie Road/Allan Drive between 39 Fluers Drive and 47 Mannachie Road. Temporary traffic lights may need to be installed.

• Phase 2 – April 17 for 14 weeks – Grantown Road between Fluers Place and Forres Medical Centre. This phase will be carried out under temporary traffic lights and lane closures.
• Phase 3 – May 8 for 12 weeks – Bogton Road/Caroline Street between North Street and the District Governor on Bogton Road. This phase will require a road closure with a local signed diversion in place. There will also be local access.
• Phase 4 – June 5 for six weeks – Croft Road between nos. 13 and 31.
• Phase 5a – July 31 for six weeks – Sanquhar Road between 47 Sanquhar Road and Woodside Drive.
• Phase 5b – July 31 for nine weeks – St Catherine’s Road between Bridge Street and Orchard Road. During this phase there will be temporary traffic lights in place.
• Phase 6 – August 14 for 20 weeks – St Leonard’s Road between South Street and Leancoil Hospital. During this phase there will be a road closure from South Street roundabout to 21 St Leonards Road. There will then be two-way temporary traffic lights between 21 St Leonards Road and Leancoil Hospital.
• Phase 7 – September 11 for six weeks – Pilmuir Road West between nos 1 and 13.
• Phase 8 – October 23 for 12 weeks – Victoria Road between 7 Seaforth Place and the Ronans Victoria Road. There will be a one-way system and a local diversion in place on North Street between Victoria Road and Seaforth Place. There will also possibly be the need for temporary traffic lights on Victoria Road.

Updates will be provided by SGN on its website – sgn.co.uk/our-gas-works/major-planned-projects/forres-project – and on social media.