Wales & West Utilities is to start essential gas works in the Old Woodlands Road area of Plymouth.
The gas emergency and pipeline service will begin the £354,000 gas pipe upgrade programme next week (14 September). The work is essential to keep the gas flowing to heat homes and power businesses so local people are kept safe and warm for generations to come.
It involves upgrading nearly 1800 metres of gas pipes and will be complete by 27 November. In planning the work, Wales & West Utilities has liased closely with Plymouth City Council and the work will be completed in phases.
This involves:
- Phase 1 - where an eastbound road closure along Old Woodlands Road and Rothesay Gardens will be in place. All traffic will enter from Crownhill Road, and travel westbound only, before re-joining Crownhill at the junction of Dumfries Avenue or Rothesay Gardens / Kirkwall Road. These measures will be in place from 5 October – 27 November.
- Phase 2 – where between 19 October – 5 November, an eastbound lane closure will be in place along Crownhill Road from Honicknowle Services to the junction with Old Woodlands Road. Three-way traffic management will be used between 19 October – 5 November.
- Phase 3 – where a westbound directional road closure along Dumfries Avenue will be in place from 4 - 27 November.
We know that working on roads like this 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.
While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of people across Plymouth. 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 – now more than ever.
Our engineers are following all hygiene and social distancing guidelines and we would respectfully ask that you keep a 2m distance if passing our work site.
As the UK recovers from coronavirus, we’ll be working hard to keep the gas flowing safely today and to prepare the gas network to transport green gases, like biomethane and hydrogen, so it can play its part delivering green, sustainable energy in the future.
Wales & West Utilities teams working in local communities will be following clear guidelines to keep themselves and customers safe. Measures will include:
- Before entering customer’s homes, engineers will wash their hands with soap and water.
- While in customer’s homes, they’ll wear face coverings and eye protection, and may ask anyone else in the house to stand in another room while they work
- While working in the street, they’ll social distance as far as possible, and would urge local people who may be passing to keep 2m away from work sites
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, brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales. If you smell gas, or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, call us on 0800 111 999 straight away, and our engineers will be there to help any time of day or night. Before visiting, we'll ask you to let us know if you or anyone in your household, is experiencing Coronavirus symptoms or self-isolating. We'll still come and help you: but our teams will take some additional precautions to keep us all safe.