A new gas leak has caused major traffic disruption at one of Hanwell’s busiest junctions, with gas network operator Cadent carrying out emergency repairs and revealing plans to replace pipework in the area.
Cadent was called to reports of a gas leak on Uxbridge Road late last week and initially carried out investigations in the footway. The works moved into the road on Tuesday, with temporary traffic lights and a westbound lane closure introduced at the junction of Uxbridge Road, Boston Road and The Broadway. The company has not yet provided an end date for the emergency repairs.
The emergency works have led to lengthy traffic queues around the area, with EALING.NEWS observing heavy congestion on roads approaching the junction and causing disruption for businesses, residents, public transport and people travelling through Hanwell.
The Kings Arms said the latest disruption was the third time in less than a year that roadworks had affected its business.
In a social media post, the pub said: “For the THIRD time in less than a year, roadworks outside The Kings Arms have caused complete traffic gridlock in Hanwell.”
The pub said the latest works had resulted in failed deliveries and significant disruption for local businesses. It added that it had reached the point of having to collect deliveries from nearby pub The Prince of Wales because access to its premises was being affected.
The pub added: “We fully appreciate that essential utility works need to be carried out, but the repeated disruption, lack of coordination, and impact on local businesses is simply not acceptable.”
Councillor Clare Welsby, Green councillor for Hanwell Broadway ward, told EALING.NEWS: “As a Hanwell resident and councillor for Hanwell Broadway, stuck on a delayed bus in congested traffic backing up into West Ealing yesterday, yet again slowing everyone up and heightening pollution levels, I can echo the concerns raised by The Kings Arms.
“Prolonged and repeated roadworks are impacting businesses, pedestrians, car users and public transport far too often at a busy Broadway and key junction.”
A Cadent spokesperson told EALING.NEWS: “Gas emergency engineers were called to a report of gas along Uxbridge Road. We are in the process of locating the gas escape so we can complete the repair.
“We can not say how long this repair will take at this time but we will keep people informed.
“We have had temporary traffic lights on the junction of Uxbridge Road with Boston Road and Broadway, with a westbound lane closure on Uxbridge Road near Momentum Café since Tuesday.
“We appreciate that this is inconvenient to road users and the local community.
“We do, however, have some good news, as we are in the process of planning to replace this section of pipes at this junction completely to ensure no further disruption.
“Once the dates have been agreed with the local highways authority we will inform residents and road users in the area of the replacement programme.”
Councillor Welsby added that she welcomed Cadent’s plans to replace the pipework at the junction. She said: “The safety of the gas infrastructure is essential, and the frequency of gas leaks is worrying.
“Cadent’s reassurance that they are in the process of planning to replace this section of pipes at this junction completely to ensure no further disruption is very welcome and much needed.
“This process needs to start soon to avoid more short-term fixes. Local businesses and residents need to be given notice of when these works will happen and for how long by Cadent in conjunction with Ealing’s Highways Services.”
