Wales & West Utilities is investing £50,000 in the Old Banwell Road area of Locking to replace almost 200 metres of old metal gas pipes with new, longer lasting plastic ones.

The work, which will be carried out by our contract partner Morrison Utility Services, will start on 4 April 2016 and we anticipate it will take around four weeks to complete.

This essential work will make sure the area continues to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and into the future.

As part of the work Wales & West Utilities has worked closely with North Somerset Council and, to minimise disruption for residents and road users, it has been agreed that the following measures will be in place:

  • The one-way system on Mendip Rise will be temporarily changed to allow two-way traffic. Signs and road markings will be in place to reflect this, and warning signs will be present at the junctions throughout Mendip Rise to remind road users about the change to two-way traffic flow
  • ‘No waiting’ cones will be used on Mendip Rise at certain locations to allow passing places for road users
  • The no entry / one way order at the junction of The Bury and Old Banwell Road will be temporarily removed while we are working to allow access for the residents of Old Banwell Road

Wales & West Utilities Programme Controller for Somerset, Barry Sale, said:

“We are very aware of the effect this work can have on communities, and we will have a team on site throughout the project to make sure that we get the job finished as safely and as quickly as possible to minimise disruption for local people. We will be knocking on doors to speak to local residents about our work and answer any questions that may have.

“We have also sent a newsletter to all those households whose gas supply will be directly affected by the work to make sure everyone is informed of our plans.”

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@wwutilities.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.