Businesses have stressed they will be open as usual ahead of a three-month project continuing gas pipe upgrades in Cookham.

Cadent Gas has announced it will be working on gas pipes along The Pound and Terrys Lane from Monday, July 27 until Sunday, October 4.

The project involves upgrading approximately 1,700 metres of ‘ageing metal gas pipes’ along The Pound from the junction of Maidenhead Road to the junction of School Lane, including Terrys Lane.

The company said the project will ‘eliminate the need for recurrent repairs’ and boost the reliability of its gas network.

The works are being conducted across a number of phases, with different traffic management requirements, including road closures and temporary traffic lights.

The Pound will be closed from Terrys Lane to Maidenhead Road from Monday, July 27 until Sunday, August 16, with junction closures on Terrys Lane and Grange Road from The Pound.

Between Monday, July 27 and Friday, August 7, there will be two-way temporary traffic lights on Maidenhead Road, at the junction with Station Hill and outside Appledown.

Between Monday, August 17 and Wednesday, September 2, there will be multiple temporary traffic lights on The Pound, at the junctions with Terrys Lane and School Lane.

From Monday, September 14 until Sunday, October 4, Terrys Lane will be shut from the junction of The Pound to the junction of Poundfield Lane.

The company said that during road closures, ‘access will be maintained for residents only’ and there will be ‘no through road or turning points’.

James Lyon-Shaw, managing director at Brucan Pubs which owns The White Oak on The Pound, said: “The planned works will undoubtedly have a severe impact on our business.

“For any hospitality venue, prolonged roadworks and disruption to normal travel patterns inevitably reduce passing trade.

“The financial impact is likely to be significant and, for independent businesses like ours, it could prove crippling if support falls away for an extended period.

“That said, we also recognise that these infrastructure works are essential and need to be carried out.

“Our focus now is on working positively with Cadent, the local authority and the wider community to minimise the impact wherever possible.

“The most important message we would like to get across is that our pub remains open throughout the works.

“We would welcome Cadent continuing to communicate clearly and proactively with businesses and the public, ensuring diversion signage is prominent, accurate and makes it absolutely clear that local businesses remain open.”

Royal Borough's Cookham ward councillor Mandy Brar (Lib Dem) said: “The gas pipes have to be replaced, in my view.

“If they don’t replace it, something happens, then obviously it’s going to be a problem.

“I know it’s going to be disruptive because it’s the main road coming in and out of the village.

“It’s going to be hard for everyone, but I think that’s why they chose this time because it’s the holiday periodthe.

“We just have to grin and bear [it] and let them do the work.”

Cllr Brar said she does ‘really feel sorry’ for the businesses and encouraged customers to continue supporting them. She also raised concerns over how the buses are going to run.

Cadent said that while the closure is in place from July 27 to August 16, there will still be a bus service operating through Cookham, but the bus will ‘be on a diversion’.

Stuart Donaldson, head of investment delivery at Cadent Gas, said: “We know repeated repairs to the gas mains in Cookham have caused real frustration for residents, road users and local businesses.

“Each repair has meant traffic management, disruption and inconvenience — and that is exactly why we are taking action now.

“Following detailed discussions with the local council and highways authority, we have planned this upgrade for the summer holidays, when traffic levels on the main road are typically lower.

“We have spoken directly with many local businesses to explain the work, answer questions and understand any concerns before we start.

“We have also listened to residents worried about narrower roads being used as rat runs and adjusted our traffic management plans in response.

“We are putting extra signage in place to make it clear that businesses remain open as usual.

“The High Street will be accessible from Sutton Road, but not from The Pound.

“The agreed diversion routes will be clearly signposted. We encourage residents and businesses to keep talking to us."