Months of disruption feared as gas upgrades planned

Residents in two Surrey villages have been warned to expect 35 weeks of disruption when work starts on the local gas network later this month.

Announcing the need for "essential upgrades", SGN said it would be replacing sections of "ageing metal gas mains with modern, durable plastic pipes" along Chinthurst Lane and the A281 Horsham Road in Shalford and Bramley.

However, with the project set to last until mid-November, some local businesses are fearing it will affect trade.

Josh Howard, who runs The Nest coffee shop in Bramley, called it "a major inconvenience" which would hit footfall as "people try to avoid the area altogether".

He added that his shop was still recovering from the upheaval of spring 2024, when it was shut down after a petrol station fuel leak contaminated the water supply.

Howard also lost money in 2023 when a fault at a nearby sewage treatment plant forced him to close due to a lack of fresh water.

"So this is the last thing we need," he said of SGN's plans.

"It's crazy, but I'm hoping the community will back us."

Ozzie Khan, who runs the nearby King Fish chip shop, added: "This is going to impact on us a lot because customers will stop coming to the village.

"Things are already tough, what with rent and business rates, but this will make it worse."

SGN said work would entail rolling road closures on Chinthurst Lane in Shalford from 23 March for approximately 10 weeks.

During this period, Poplar Road will need to be closed at its junction with Chinthurst Lane for a fortnight.

In addition, the A281 Horsham Road between Bramley and Shalford will see temporary traffic lights installed from 7 April as the next phase of engineering takes place.

Mooted to last for 32 weeks, it will also see Snowdenham Lane, Links Road and Foxburrow Hill Road undergo staggered closures to help maintain the flow of traffic.

A spokesperson for the company said: "We recognise roadworks can be frustrating, and we're sorry for any inconvenience this essential work may cause.

"However, the new plastic pipe has a lifespan of 80 years, which means when the work is complete, nearby residents and businesses will be able to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply long into the future."

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