UPPER Hale Road in Farnham has been peppered with roadworks for the last couple of years, causing considerable frustration among residents – now gas distribution company SGN has announced yet another set of roadworks lasting approximately 11 weeks starting on Monday, July 11.

SGN will be carrying out a section of work in Upper Hale Road progressing from its junction with Alma Lane towards Lawday Link.

Hannah Brett, A spokesperson for SGN, Hannah Brett, said: “We’re currently working to upgrade our gas network in the Upper Hale Road area. We are investing £337,000 to replace the existing metal gas mains with modern plastic pipe to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply to Farnham homes and businesses.

“Our engineers will be progressing through Alma Lane, Heath Lane, Queens Lane, Sandy Hill Road and Lawday Link. We will provide advance notice to residents before starting work in these roads.

“We’re acutely aware that there has been a number of different roadworks taking place in Upper Hale Road in recent years. We will be doing everything we can to minimise disruption during our project in the area, including working extended hours and at weekends when appropriate.”

Temporary traffic lights will be used around the work area on Upper Hale Road to ensure the safety of motorists and SGN engineers, which will be manually operated during peak hours when required.

The Upper Hale Road phase of work will be carried out during the school summer holiday as much as possible. Roads are traditionally quieter during the school holidays and so, this will reduce inconvenience to the local community.

Last year Upper Hale Road was named one of the slowest rush-hour roads in the UK with average speeds dipping as low as 16 miles per hour, official figures revealed.

The average morning speed of the A3016 Upper Hale Road eastbound was just 16.2mph in June (2015) – making it the county’s fifth slowest rush-hour road.

Previous works in the Upper Hale Road area included the installation of a new water mains carried out by South East Water, businesses within the area reported a dramatic loss due to the 16 week roadworks; and delays were expected as South East Water completed repairs to a damaged footway, with two-way traffic lights in place near the A3016 junction with Oast House Crescent in September 2015.

Roadworks continued with the installation of a pedestrian crossing at the junction with Farnborough Road; to then repair a leaking water pipe at the junction with Sandy Hill Road; and temporary traffic lights were put in place while telecoms company BT installed four new poly ducts in the carriageway.