Wales & West Utilities has completed its essential project that saw gas pipes upgraded in the Market Jew Street area of Penzance, along with an unexpected historical discovery.
Engineers have been busy working to install new pipes in the area since October, and now that the project has finished on time, the local community can be assured that they will continue to receive a safe and reliable supply of gas for decades to come.
The work has involved close collaboration with both the local community and Cornwall Council, and traffic management was in place throughout. Whilst undertaking the essential work, engineers uncovered a piece of history - a granite marker stone buried beneath the road surface in Greenmarket. The stone, which has been identified as the site of the Borough Cross, has now been added to Cornwall Council’s historic environment record, protecting it during any future works.
Wales & West Utilities Natalie Raphael managed the project and said:
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to the local community for their patience whilst we have been working to complete this essential work, and are delighted that we have finished it on time.
“This project was an interesting one, and we are thankful to both local historian and author Linda Camidge and local archaeologist, Mr Goskar, for their help in identifying this historical monument. Uncovering historical artefacts like this are very exciting, and I am proud of the way the team worked with vigilance and care to help preserve this archaeological find while completing the work to schedule. We are thrilled that the historical marker stone has now been protected from any future work in the area.
“While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of this community. 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.
“This work is essential to keep the gas flowing to local homes and businesses today, and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport green gases in the future.”
Further work to upgrade the gas network in Penzance will continue in 2026.
Wales & West Utilities is the gas emergency and pipeline service, delivering energy to over 7.5 million people across Wales and the south west of England. We don’t sell gas; we transport it through an extensive underground network of more than 35,000 kilometres of pipes.
If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 immediately. Trained engineers are available 24/7 to respond and keep you safe.