Wales & West Utilities is investing £75,000 in replacing more than 400 metres of old metal gas pipes in Sidbury with new plastic ones, to make sure homes and businesses in the area continue to receive a safe and reliable supply of gas for years to come.
Since the first stage of work in the area started in November, over 120 metres of new gas pipes have been laid on Bridge Street but Wales & West Utilities had to postpone the final section of work due to engineering difficulties.
This final stage of work will involve replacing the remaining 250 metres of pipework.
The work, which will be carried out by Wales & West Utilities' contract partner Morrison Utility Services, will start on 4 April 2016 and is anticipated to take around five weeks to complete.
In preparation for the work, Wales & West Utilities has worked closely with Devon County Council in carefully planning this work to make sure disruption is kept to a minimum. The work will be carried out seven days a week to make sure that it is finished as safely and as quickly as possible. It has been agreed that for safety reasons, Fore Street will be closed whilst work is ongoing. Access for residents will be maintained and an alternative route will be clearly signposted.
Wales & West Utilities has worked closely with Stagecoach South West and there will be a temporary shuttle bus service while the work is ongoing. Further information can be found at bus stops, on buses and through Stagecoach South West social media and website.
The new long-lasting plastic pipes will have a lifespan of more than 80 years and will make sure homes and businesses in the area continue to receive a safe and reliable supply of gas now and in the future.
Wales & West Utilities First Line Manager Kevin Howard will be project managing this work. He said:
“We know that working on roads like Fore Street is not ideal, but it is essential to support the area in the future. We’ll have a team of gas engineers on site throughout the project to make sure that the work is completed as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum.
Kevin added: “We’re very aware of the effect that this work can have on businesses, communities and commuters. We’re working closely with Devon County Council to agree the best way to get this essential work done causing the least inconvenience.”
Our Customer Service Team is ready to take your call if you have any questions about our work. You can contact them on 0800 912 2999 or by enquiries@wwwutilities.co.uk.
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 anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.
The company also has a multi-million pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced with new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years, to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.