THE left hand caught up with the right hand today as gas bosses agreed closure of part of March High Street would only be for five weeks and not seven weeks as they first claimed.

Sara Wilcox, regional communications adviser for National Grid, admitted the error today after first telling the Cambs Times on Friday the closure would last for seven weeks.

However when we pointed out signs in the High Street claimed the closure would be for five weeks.

“I have just spoken to the engineers and the road signs are correct,” she said.

“The road closure will be for five weeks and not seven. My apologies for the inaccuracy in the press release.”

However National Gird confirmed work will start on August 31 to replace a gas mains.

“To enable the work to be carried out safely and promptly, a 120 metre section of High Street will be closed to through traffic while the project is under way,” said a spokesman for National Grid.

“Vehicle access will be in place for businesses and for access to car parks within the closure.”

The spokesman said the work was necessary “to ensure local people can continue to enjoy secure safe and reliable supplies for decades to come.”

National Grid will work in partnership with Morrison Utility Services to upgrade 120 metres of gas mains, from 85 to 95 High Street (south of Abbeygate Court to the junction with Chapel Street).

Engineers will also be replacing a further 70 metres of mains in Chapel Street.

The spokesman said the project “is part of an ongoing upgrade of March’s gas network to secure gas supplies to local residents and businesses until nearly the end of the century.

“The existing iron mains will be replaced with durable, long lasting plastic pipes that have a lifespan of 80 years if left undisturbed in the ground and need little maintenance.

Chris Naylor, Business Development Manager for Morrison Utility Services said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the project.

“Every effort will be made to complete the work as quickly as we can and to minimize disruption to the local community and to the road network.

“We have been liaising with Cambridgeshire County Council and local businesses and the work has been planned to finish before March’s important Armistice Day commemoration.”

“The work is part of a national mains renewal programme developed by National Grid in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive and the industry regulator, Ofgem.”

Anyone with an inquiry about the project can contact National Grid’s Customer Support Team on 0845 246 1285.