
Four weeks of delays due to gas pipe upgrades on A217 in Reigate
The company statement read: "These works are part of a 30-year programme to replace aging gas mains with modern, long-lasting plastic piping to ensure a continued safe and reliable supply of gas to local homes and businesses. "Once completed, the upgraded network will serve the community safely and reliably for many decades to come."The company said the new plastic pipe would have a lifespan of 80 years.Affected motorists should follow the signed diversion route via Raglan Road. Light vehicles should then continue via Croydon Road and Rushworth Road, while HGVs must follow a separate diversion route via A242, A23, and A25.
Debbie Davis, a nearby cafe owner, told BBC Radio Surrey: "Inevitably it is going to affect us as the diversions are looking widespread."It's just another thing we've got to contend with. But I'm sure the customers will get to us." Bradley Lock, Reigate resident, said: "I don't think the bus I take to work will be running for a month which will make things quite difficult."In January, another road in the town, Gatton Park Road, was closed for four months for water mains replacement.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
9 minutes ago
- The Independent
Why millions of people could benefit from self-driving vehicles in the UK
A government minister has detailed the benefits of self-driving vehicles as a public consultation launches ahead of its roll-out in the UK next year. Launched today (July 21), the consultation on the automated passenger services (APS) permitting scheme will allow 'representative groups, industry stakeholders, trade unions and members of the public' to voice their opinions on how self-driving vehicles could be used. It comes ahead of the proposed roll-out of taxi-, private-hire- and bus-like services with self-driving technology from spring 2026, prior to the implementation of the Automated Vehicles Act in 2027. Lilian Greenwood, future of roads minister, said: 'Self-driving vehicles are one of the most exciting opportunities to improve transport for so many people, especially those in rural areas or unable to drive. We want to work with passengers and industry to make this new form of transport safe and accessible, as we take our next steps towards adoption. 'This technology doesn't just have the potential to improve transport for millions of people. It will help stimulate innovation, create thousands of jobs, and drive investment to put more money in people's pockets – all part of delivering our Plan for Change.' It follows on from a Government decision to 'fast-track' pilots of self-driving passenger vehicles to spring 2026, which would allow companies to pilot 'small-scale' services conducted without a safety driver monitoring the vehicle for the first time. Users would be able to book the service via an app, similar to a typical taxi or ride-hailing service. Key pointers for the consultation include how self-driving cars could be made more accessible for disabled and older people, and how 'services of self-driving vehicles are approved by councils'. The new consultation will run until September 28, 2025. When speaking on the roll-out of Self-driving taxis and bus-like services, transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'The future of transport is arriving. 'Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world-leaders in new technology. 'With road safety at the heart of our pilots and legislation, we continue to take bold steps to create jobs, back British industry and drive innovation.'


Auto Express
9 minutes ago
- Auto Express
More Chinese EV price cuts as MG responds to EV grant confusion
The Government's announcement that buyers of pure-electric cars priced under £37,000 could receive a grant worth up to £3,750 has been met with plenty of confusion. To help clear things up and entice buyers even more, MG has announced it will give all private buyers of the MG4 and MGS5 EV its own £1,500 'grant'. That's in addition to whatever comes from the official Electric Car Grant. Advertisement - Article continues below David Allison, Head of Product and Planning for MG Motor UK, told Auto Express that customers had been 'put off' by the grant thanks to a lack of clarity over which cars meet the eligibility criteria and if a car's price tag would be lowered to dip under the £37,000 grant ceiling in the near future. MG is yet to find out if its Chinese-built MG4 and MGS5 EV will be able to meet the sustainability criteria to qualify for the UK Government's grant - whether that's the maximum £3,750 or the second tier £1,500 figure. However, MG has said it is still in the 'process of securing any of the Government-backed support which has been made available'. As a reminder, the MG4 sits under the £37,000 grant cut-off for the Electric Car Grant, coming in at £26,995 in SE specification and topping out at £36,495 in Trophy Extended Range form. The MGS5 EV in SE trim is priced from £28,495 and goes up to £33,495 for the Trophy Long Range. Guy Pigounakis, Commercial Director for MG Motor UK said, 'MG has been a key contributor to the EV sector. Today's announcement underlines this commitment and in addition to this, we will also seek to work constructively with the Government to further increase the sale of EVs.' MG also said the Cyberster roadster (which starts from £54,995) would not be a part of its £1,500 discount scheme and neither would the incoming IM5 and IM6 models. Since 2019 MG has been the fifth most popular EV brand with car buyers in the UK. A total of 95,000 MG electric cars have found homes. MG is not the first brand to preemptively offer its own electric car 'grant' in the wake of the official Government announcement. Leapmotor and Ora are taking similar measures to circumvent any confusion buyers might be feeling around the cars that will or will not qualify for the scheme. Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express ? We'll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too .


BBC News
39 minutes ago
- BBC News
Norfolk charity hopes 'Baywatch' campaign will show blue badge misuse
A disabled motoring charity is hoping to highlight "persistent" abuse disabled drivers can face and the misuse of accessible parking spaces. Disabled Motoring UK, based near Carleton Rode in Norfolk, is asking people to give feedback about accessible parking spaces in supermarket car parks, including if vehicles are displaying a blue badge. The group's chief executive, Graham Footer, claimed one in 10 people admitted to parking in a disabled bay without a permit. He said: "Accessible bays are not a 'nice to have' - they are absolutely essential for disabled motorist blue badge holders." The campaign, named Baywatch, is urging people to feedback on the use of accessible parking spaces six major retailers including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons. It hopes to keep supermarkets accountable while highlighting some of the challenges faced by disabled people. He said: "The pressure is already there to find accessible parking without the added pressure of abuse of accessible bays on top of that. "It's such a shame when the scheme and bays are abused." However, the charity asks that people just observe and do not take matters into their own hands by confronting motorists. "You really don't know who you are challenging," Mr Footer added. The information will be published for people to see how each supermarket said: "It's only when we highlight the issue that anything is done but Baywatch keeps this matter on the agenda... it focuses attention for a short period of time which makes the supermarkets get up and listen." Natalie Portman, a blue badge holder who also works at Equal Lives, a disability rights organisation in Norfolk and Suffolk, described how she felt there was "scrutiny" and judgement when disabled people parked. She said smaller shops and parking areas with less spaces could increase tensions. "I think the assumption to have a blue badge, you have to have some mobility appliance, actually that's not a thing for so many blue badge users."That sense of suspicion you get when you use a parking bay until someone decides you're entitled to be there. "From a disability perspective, and as an individual, that sense of judgement and scrutiny is quite overwhelming when you have that all the time." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.