Initial repairs are almost complete but disruption is set to continue
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Cadent have given an update on the timeline of ongoing repairs at a major Greater Manchester junction.
The junction of the A34 Kingsway and the A560 Gatley Road, known locally as Gatley lights, is a notoriously busy junction in Stockport, serving the M60 both clockwise and anticlockwise, and also serving one of the main routes south of Manchester towards Cheshire.
But two lanes of the southbound A34 have been closed since Monday (November 3) due to the discovery of a gas leak needing ‘urgent repair’.
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The three-lane carriageway has been reduced to just one, with drivers only allowed to continue straight on or turn left. The through-road between Cheadle and Gatley has also been closed, with drivers in both directions only able to turn left onto the A34.
Junction 3 of the motorway, just 300 metres from the crossroads has also been shut to prevent tailbacks. The roadworks have piled added pressure on an already busy road network, pushing traffic onto other junctions and A roads.
When works began, gas company Cadent said they were unsure how long the work would take, but in an update today (November 6), bosses have issued an update on the progress of the repairs.
Trevor Lubbock, Customer Operations Area Manager at Cadent, said: “Firstly, I want to say thank you to everyone for their ongoing patience as we deal with the emergency repair to this gas main.
“I know it is disruptive and my team has been working as fast as we can – night and day, since Monday night – to complete this work, which is all to ensure safety.
“Our work so far has concentrated on fixing leaks in two joints – requiring two deep excavations. Last night, we completed those two repairs.
“This means that, today, we are reinstating the excavations – a process that involves allowing time for the surface to ‘cure’ [set], which will take until tomorrow (Friday).
“There will be periods over the next 24 hours when you will not see any of the team onsite. We must wait for the reinstated road surface to cure before we can move to the next phase.
“Once we are satisfied it is fully cured, we can then reduce the lane closures on Kingsway from two to one, which should allow the exits of the M60 (currently closed) to be reopened. All being well, this should be tomorrow evening (Friday).
“This arrangement creates a safe working environment for our team to begin work at a second identified location, close to the island in the middle of Gatley Road, at the junction with Kingsway, on the Cheadle side of Gatley Road.
“Although we should be able to reopen the M60 exits at junction 3, major traffic management is still needed at the junction of Kingsway and Gatley Road, which will mean continued disruption to traffic.
“I am sorry for the inconvenience and hope people understand this work is essential to keep everyone safe and supplied with gas.
“We are resourced and ready to continue working on this through the weekend.
“This remains an incredibly challenging job, at a very busy road junction. We have made great progress over the last three days and nights, and I just ask for your continued support and patience as we move onto this next – and hopefully final – phase of work.
“If you smell gas, do not assume it is related to this work. It may not be and needs to be checked. Act immediately and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999*, day or night.”