TRADERS are bracing themselves for more roadworks misery when the second stage begins of the gas pipe replacement programme in Rayleigh.

They are already concerned they will lose business when the north end of Rayleigh High Street closes for four weeks, from July 27, for stage one of the works.

Because of the feared impact on the town’s economy, Rayleigh Chamber of Trade is pushing for the second stage of the roadworks, scheduled for the autumn to be postponed until next summer.

Stage two, scheduled for this autumn, will involve the replacement of almost 3km of pipes at the southern end of the High Street, from Rayleigh Weir up to the town centre.

Carl Watson, chamber chairman, said: “These works will be a lot slower and more detrimental to traffic coming into the town.

“It’s expected to take six months which will have quite a knock-on effect on certain areas, so we are asking for the work to be postponed until next year.

“It will involve work on Crown Hill, past the train station and back into town, down Bellingham Lane.

“I suspect they may have temporary traffic lights and there’s the possibility of more road closures.”

The work is being carried out by the North London Gas Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and Skanska.

Sarah Harris, spokeswoman for the alliance, said no decision had yet been taken over when the work would start.

She said: “We need to replace 2.9km of gas main from the A127 Rayleigh Weir through the town centre.

“We are mindful of the sensitive nature of the area and are working with local businesses and Rochford District Council to decide when is the best time to carry out this project in order to minimise inconvenience.

“There will be traffic restrictions. I’m not sure at this stage whether that will involve road or lane closures.”