Gas upgrade work in the Monkton Heathfield and Cheddon Fitzpaine areas of Somerset is on track, with the next phase of work due to start in July.
Wales & West Utilities, which has been working in the area since January, is reporting good progress in the £900,000 gas pipe upgrade scheme and is on track to complete work by December 2019.
The scheme, which is essential to keep the gas flowing to heat homes and power businesses in the area so that people are safe and warm for generations to come, has already seen more than 2km of gas pipe upgraded.
Throughout the work, Wales & West Utilities is working closely with Somerset County Council to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. The next stage of work will start in July and will involve two phases of work:
- Phase One will start the week commencing 1 July and take approximately six weeks to complete. During this time there will be a road closure on Red Hill from its junction with Greenway and Noah’s Hill to its junction with Blundells Lane.
- Phase Two will start the week commencing 12 August and will take five weeks to complete. During this time Church Hill be closed from “The Langdales” to the junction of Church Hill and The Street.
Wales & West Utilities Programme Controller, Barry Sale, is the project manager for this gas pipe upgrade work. He said:
“While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of people across Monkton Heathfield and Cheddon Fitzpaine. 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.
“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.
“This work will not only keep the gas flowing safely and reliably today, it will also help make sure the gas network is fit for the future and can play its part in delivering reliable and affordable green energy.”
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 or 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, takes pride in serving 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 upgraded to 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.