High street businesses are facing 10 weeks of disruption from roadworks.
SGN engineers will be replacing a gas main on Theale High Street from January 27, with works expected to last at least 10 weeks.
Works will begin to replace the gas main in Theale High Street at the end of the month
A one-way road closure will be put in place westbound between Station Road and Hoad Way, with no on street parking available on this side of the street.
But some business owners are concerned about the impact the long-term closure will have.
Jodi Gallimore, who runs The Bull pub with her partner, said: “It will affect us. It means our deliveries will arrive later.
“We would have preferred if they had started now, but it does need doing.
“I suppose there’s never a good time for them to do it, is there.”
She added they previously had to close the pub for almost four days due to a gas leak in the street.
A staff members at Street Food Shack, a Mexican restaurant, also told newburytoday: “It will affect us massively. As a small business, it will be very difficult.
“We’ll have to close earlier, which means losing revenue.
“Our delivery drivers can’t get to us. We can’t get to places like Burghfield or even Tilehurst and Calcot, which are on our doorstep.”
Site of the planned one-way lane closure to replace the gas main in Theale High Street. Credit: One.Network
He added they are already losing trade due to the ongoing roadworks at the Theale interchange of the M4 (junction 12), which began their next phase on Monday (January 6).
In a letter to residents, the gas distribution company said: “This work is essential to provide a permanent solution for gas escapes and ensure we can continue to maintain a safe and efficient gas supply to residents and businesses.”
It will replace the current metal pipe with a plastic one, and hopes doing so will reduce the need for disruptive emergency repairs in the future.
The diversion route will be via Church Street, The Green, The Bath Road, Hoad Way and vice versa.
Tell us how the closure will affect you at newsdesk@newburynews.co.uk