Halstead Road Closure Sparks Business Concerns Before Christmas
Cadent Gas will close Hedingham Road in Halstead for pipe replacements from November 2 to December 23, prompting local officials to seek business support.
Hedingham Road in Halstead will close from November 2 to December 23, 2026, to allow for planned gas infrastructure upgrades. Cadent Gas is replacing aging pipes with plastic alternatives to increase safety and prepare the network for greener gas. The company noted that workers may need access to residents' homes and that some properties could face temporary supply cuts during the process.
While an alternative route will be available, the timing of the closure has caused alarm among local independent businesses due to the proximity to the Christmas shopping season. Councillor Isi Rocha contacted the Essex County Council Streetworks team to address the economic risks to the High Street during this peak trading period. Rocha described the timing as a "crucially busy and important time for all businesses" and emphasized that maintaining normal trade is "vitally important."
