Scheme to support growth and development of area

Wales & West Utilities has started its scheme to replace 400 metres of gas pipes in Devizes to support the growth and development of the local area and ensure people continue to receive a safe and reliable supply of gas for years to come.

The work, which started on Monday 29 June, is part of a wider £500,000 investment programme across Wiltshire to replace old metal gas pipes with new plastic ones that have a lifespan of more than 80 years.

This particular scheme on London Road involves replacing existing pipes with larger ones to support the growth and development of towns and villages in the area.

The work is split into three phases and the scheme will take approximately 9 weeks to complete.

  • Phase one will involve laying new gas pipes in the northbound lane of London Road, with work starting at the junction of London Road and Roundway Park. This phase of work requires two-way traffic lights on London Road, with approximately 100 metres being worked on at any one time. The work – and the traffic lights - will move north up the road towards the Coate roundabout as the new pipe is laid.
  • Phase two will follow phase one and will involve connecting the new gas pipe into an existing gas governor on the verge off the Coate Roundabout. This will require three-way traffic lights on the roundabout.
  • Phase three will start after phase two is complete and will involve connecting existing pipes in the area to the new gas pipe. This work, which will start at the junction of Roundway Park and London Road, will require two-way traffic lights. The work will move north up London Road as connections are complete.

In advance of work Wales & West Utilities have written to local residents and will post updates on www.wwutilities.co.uk

The traffic management plan, which is required to make sure that road users, pedestrians and the company’s work force is kept safe, has been agreed with the local authority. As London Road is a bus route, bus operators have also been briefed on the work. Throughout the scheme the traffic lights will be manned by specialist traffic management contractors between 7am and 7pm to help traffic flow as smoothly as possible.

Wales & West Utilities first line manager, Adrian White, said:

“We understand working on key routes in busy towns is disruptive, but this work is essential to make sure that the area continues to receive a safe and reliable supply of gas now and in the future.

“We have worked closely with the local highways department in the planning and timing of this work to minimise disruption as much possible – with the majority of the work being completed in the school summer holidays. Our team on site will be working as quickly and as safely as they can to complete this essential work, with extended working hours and weekend working, where appropriate.”

This work is part of the company’s multi-million-pound 30-year mains replacement programme, across Wales and the south west, 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.

Once we start work, people can always approach the team on site with any questions or alternatively ring our customer services team on free phone 0800 912 2999 or 02921 678 455.

And if anyone does smell 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.

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