MAJOR work lasting almost five months is set to take place along one of Penarth's main roads – and is expected to cause more traffic chaos for already irate motorists.
Essential gas mains works by Wales & West Utilities are to be carried out on Windsor Road, starting outside Cogan Leisure Centre, and are expected to take 20 weeks to complete.
The rolling programme, which starts on April 6, will also see the temporary closure of nearby Pill Street.
A traffic management plan has been agreed with the Vale of Glamorgan Council, with diversions and temporary traffic lights expected to be in operation during the course of the project.
Wales & West Utilities programme officer, Roddy Williams, said: "We have been working closely with the local Highways Authority, and I have contacted local residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity to notify them of the impending work.
"Recognising the impact that the project will have on the area, we have effectively doubled the workforce and will be working seven days a week, with extended hours, to minimise inconvenience to local people."
For the first two phases, scheduled to take four weeks, Pill Street will be closed at its junction with Windsor Road and traffic will be diverted via Dock Street and Bridge Street.
The bus stop outside Cogan Leisure Centre will also be temporarily re-positioned.
To enable extensive excavation works at the roundabout with Plassey Street, diversionary routes will be signposted and once clear of the junction, the remaining phases will be under the control of temporary traffic lights.
The roadworks look set to infuriate residents, businesses and motorists who continue to suffer long delays in jams along Windsor Road – with disruption already expected to worsen in the area as a result of other roadworks currently taking place in and around Penarth.
An extensive one-way system is currently being introduced to Penarth town centre and work has just started on a 30-week project to build a bus lane between Dinas Powys and Llandough.
Derek Richardson, owner of Squarefoot estate agency on Windsor Road, said: "It's already nigh-on impossible for customers to park in Penarth with all the work that is currently going on.
"The one-way system has caused so much disruption, but this will just make things worse."
But officials from the Vale of Glamorgan Council denied claims that mistakes had been made in planning for the roadworks, adding that disruption would be minimised.
Andrew Loosemore, operational manager for highway maintenance, said: "Wales and West Utilities has advised us that this work has now become an extremely high priority due to the number of leaks it is experiencing on the gas mains.
"The work has not purposefully been planned to coincide with our schemes.
"Their works are programmed to be undertaken while there is lower usage on the gas main, ie through the spring and summer months, hence the start date.
"Fortunately there will only be a short overlap between our works in Penarth and the gas mains renewal, and full discussions have taken place with regard to the effect on traffic," he added.
"While we agree this situation is not ideal, and there may well be some added minor disruption, this has been minimised as much as possible given the circumstances."
