Wales & West Utilities is working to upgrade gas pipes on Swindon Road.

The £185,000 work, on Swindon Road and in the surrounding area, started on 24 January and is essential to keep the gas flowing safely to heat and power local homes and businesses. Barring any engineering difficulties, it is due to finish by the end of April.

To keep disruption to a minimum, Wales & West Utilities has worked closely with Swindon Borough Council to plan the work. So that engineers and the local community are kept safe, it has been agreed that two-way traffic lights will be in place on Swindon Road between 24 January – 22 April.

Wales & West Utilities Mick Gallavin is managing this gas pipe upgrade work. He said:

We know that working on roads like these is not ideal, but it really is essential to make sure we keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future. We’ll have a team of gas engineers on site throughout the project to make sure our work is completed as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum.

We’re very aware of the effect that our work can have on communities and commuters which is why we’re working closely with Swindon Borough Council to agree the best way to get this essential work done while causing the least inconvenience to the community.

While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of people across the Swindon area. 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.

Wales & West Utilities teams will follow clear guidelines to keep themselves and local people safe. This includes:

  • Before entering customer’s homes, engineers will wash their hands with soap and water.
  • While in customer’s homes, they’ll wear face coverings and eye protection, and may ask anyone else in the house to stand in another room while they are working
  • When working in the street, they’ll social distance as far as possible, and would urge local people who may be passing to keep 2m away from work sites
  • 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 Twitter @WWUtilities or 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 us on 0800 111 999 straight away, and our engineers will be there to help any time of day or night. Before visiting, we'll ask you to let us know if you or anyone in your household, is experiencing Coronavirus symptoms or self-isolating. We'll still come and help you: but our teams will take some additional precautions to keep us all safe.