Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar opened Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, new operational base at Mochdre Commerce Park in Colwyn Bay.
The base will be the home of the gas emergency service covering Colwyn Bay and surrounding areas, replacing the company’s old home on Conway Road. It has been fitted out with the latest equipment and tools to make sure the company’s engineers can keep people across North Wales safe and warm and demonstrates Wales & West Utilities commitment to North Wales. Twenty Wales & West Utilities colleagues will work at the site, supporting 60 gas engineers working across the area.
Wales & West Utilities responds to gas emergency calls from people who report a smell of gas or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide (CO). CO is the so called ‘silent killer’ as it can’t be seen, heard, or smelt, but claims the lives of 40 people each year, leaving thousands more injured.
Steve Watts, Wales & West Utilities Performance Manager, who is responsible for the base at Colwyn Bay said:
“We all have fond memories of our old base on Conway Road but it really had passed its sell by date. It was too small and no longer met our business needs. This new base is a bright and modern building that will help us deliver the highest levels of gas safety, reliability and customer service in an efficient, cost effective way.”
Andrew Hopkins, Wales & West Utilities Director of Operations added:
“There’s been gas in Wales for many years and we inherited a lot of our bases from our predecessor companies. They were built when the gas industry, the local area, transport links and our needs were very different. Our new base in Colwyn Bay will provide our teams a well located, fit for purpose home as well as being our central stores location for North Wales. It will help support our North Wales teams as they face the challenges of the future.
Darren Millar, Assembly Member for Clwyd West, said:
“Wales & West Utilities new base in Colwyn Bay will play an essential role in keeping people right across North Wales safe and warm. It was very interesting to tour the base, talking to managers and other colleagues about the vital work they do day in day out.
“As a significant employer in North Wales, it was also reassuring to hear about the planning the company is doing for the future – not only in opening the new base but also in taking on young people and apprentices, as well as former members of the armed forces.”
The £1m investment in Colwyn Bay is part of the company’s programme of rationalising and modernising its bases across Wales and the south west of England, making sure they are fit for purpose and cost effective, helping the company deliver excellent levels of service and value for money for its customers.
As part of this programme, Wales & West Utilities will soon be opening a new base on Wrexham Industrial Estate, replacing the existing one on the site of the former gas works at Maelor in Marchwiel.
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.