This afternoon, (Friday 21 October), SGN issued the following statement to Bay Life with regard to the gas network upgrade work that is due to begin on November 1. Multiple engineering teams will be working extended hours. SGN will support an alternative shuttle bus that will travel along diversion route. Regular updates to a dedicated project page will be posted as work progresses. Consultation with MP, Huw Merriman is to continue in the coming weeks. SGN will attend meetings of various Pevensey Bay groups to provide progress updates. The new approach taken was confirmed by the project team that met on Thursday (20 October) following the drop-in session held at the Ethel Wood Hall—Bay Life, 21 October 2016
SGN
statement to Bay Life
Friday 21 October 2016
Thank you for your feedback on our drop-in session, shared with our project team.
East Sussex Highways would be better placed than us to address your specific concerns regarding their phase of the project. However, our phases of the Coast Road project really are essential work to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply to Pevensey Bay residents for many years to come. We need to carry this work out under a road closure to ensure the safety of both motorists and our engineers.
We’re acutely aware this temporary road closure will cause some disruption, but we’re doing all we can to minimise that as far as possible. For example, we will have multiple engineering teams working extended hours in Coast Road and we’re also supporting the provision of an alternative shuttle bus that will travel along the diversion route.
We know that local residents will have questions and concerns about our project, as they would with any utility or local authority contractor working in the village. We also know that residents like to receive information and contact us in different ways. That’s why Wednesday’s drop-in session was just one of a number of channels we’re using to inform and engage the local community, both before and during our project in Coast Road.
We’ve also delivered detailed project leaflets to residents’ homes this week and this information has been shared through the local media. The information is also available on our website and we’ll regularly updating our dedicated project page as the work progresses: https://www.sgn.co.uk/Roadworks/Southern-projects/Pevensey-Bay-Coast-Road/
In addition to our communications with residents directly, we’ve also been in close consultation with the local MP, local councillors and emergency services during the planning of our project. This will continue over the coming weeks and throughout the duration of the work. Our project team will also be attending upcoming meetings of various Pevensey Bay groups to provide progress updates and discuss any concerns. This approach was confirmed by our project team yesterday when they met following the drop-in session.
We will continue to listen to the community over the coming weeks and provide the best support we can.
