Plans by Wales & West Utilities to complete major investment work to the gas network in the Draycott Road area of Cheddar are being rescheduled.
The project that was due to run between 20 July – 30 August, will be pushed back to September to minimise disruption in the area and to support local trade during the busy summer months.
The decision has been made by the gas distribution network following conversations with locally elected representatives and Somerset Council about reducing the impact of the work in the area.
The essential upgrade to the network in the area will involve the replacement of old cast iron gas pipes that have reached the end of their life cycle, with some pipes dating back to 1915 and the 1960s. They will be replaced with new polyethylene pipes that are more durable and capable of meeting the increasing demands for gas and preparing the network to distribute green gases such as hydrogen and biomethane.
The work is part of a major mains replacement programme overseen by the energy regulator Ofgem and will ensure that households and businesses from Cheddar to Wells, can continue to rely on a safe and resilient gas supply for decades to come.
Members of the local community are invited to a drop-in session at Draycott Memorial Hall, Latches Lane, Draycott, BS27 3UE on Tuesday 26 May, between 9am and 8pm. Here, they can view plans and direct any questions to the project team.
Wales & West Utilities' Simon Lee is managing the work and said:
“Upgrading the gas network along the A371 and Draycott Road is an important phase of work for our essential gas mains upgrade programme. The work will require careful traffic management to keep our workforce and road users safe throughout and we are committed to minimising disruption in the area”.
“We are working very closely with Somerset Council and are delaying this project to avoid disruption during the summer. The work is critical however and will need to be undertaken due to the age of the pipes and the need to meet ongoing and future demands for gas by homes and businesses.
While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of this community. Whether it’s heating your home, making the family dinner or having a hot bath, we understand how important it is for your gas supply to be safe and reliable and there when you need it.
“That’s why we are keen to speak to the local community, to outline our plans and to understand any concerns about the project. The drop-in session on Tuesday 26 May provides that opportunity and we look forward to meeting local residents and businesses to discuss our plans further”
For more information about work in your area, visit www.wwutilities.co.uk/gas-pipe-upgrade-projects/. As projects begin, customers can also find out what to expect from the work at www.wwutilities.co.uk/services/gas-pipe-upgrades/.
If you have further queries about the project, our Customer Service Team is here to help. You can call us free on 0800 912 2999, message us on X (@WWUtilities), or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/wwutilities.
Wales & West Utilities is the gas emergency and pipeline service, delivering energy to over 7.5 million people across Wales and the south west of England. We don’t sell gas; we transport it through an extensive underground network of more than 35,000 kilometres of pipes.
If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 immediately. Trained engineers are available 24/7 to respond and keep you safe.
Get in touch
Important Information
Our Customer Service Team is ready to take your call if you have any questions about our work. You can contact them on freephone 0800 912 2999.
Alternatively, you can contact us on X, formerly Twitter: WWUtilities or https://www.facebook.com/wwutilities.
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales. If you smell gas, or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, call them on 0800 111 999 straight away, and engineers will be there to help any time of day or night.