Essential work to upgrade gas pipes in March town centre is due to get under way next week. 

Cadent, which manages the local gas network, is replacing aging underground gas mains to ensure the network is fit for the future and ready to keep energy flowing safely in the town for decades to come. 

Work is due to start on Monday (February 13) and should last for 12 weeks. 

The initial gas works are due to be in the area of Dartford Road, Darthill Road and Robingoodfellow’s Lane. A signposted diversionary route will be in place. 

With a multi-million-pound improvement project also now under way in the town centre, the vital gas pipes work has been carefully planned in consultation with Fenland District Council and the local highways authority, Cambridgeshire County Council, to minimise disruption. 

READ MORE: £8.4m March regeneration project begins this weekend | Cambs Times

Fenland District Council portfolio holder for social mobility and heritage, and lead member of the March Future High Streets sterring group, Cllr Chris Seaton, said: “We know the short-term disruptions related to these huge improvements will pose challenges.

“We want to assure residents and businesses that every effort has gone into carefully coordinating these essential works with the rest of the upgrade and improvement to March town centre to keep disruption to a minimum.” 

The southbound carriageway of Broad Street is due to be closed to traffic from the middle of next month (March) when the northbound carriageway will become two-way to ensure traffic can still use Broad Street in both directions. 

The works are to allow the gas main on Broad Street and Dartford Road to be moved. 

Some gas supplies local to the area may be disrupted but those most likely to be affected have been informed by Cadent. 

In August 2021, March town centre was closed due to a suspected gas leak and, earlier in the same month, Hundred Road was closed off and homes were evacuated following four gas leaks along the street.

READ MORE: Town centre access restricted following suspected gas leak | Cambs Times

READ MORE: Homes evacuated as FOUR gas leaks disrupt March | Cambs Times

The multi-million pound transformation of March town centre is a combination of projects by many partners.  

It will create a more open, social and pedestrian-friendly environment and increase traffic flow through the town centre. 

The March Market Place regeneration part of the project is already under way and expected to be complete next month (March).