Wales & West Utilities is continuing its £900,000 gas pipe upgrade scheme in the Monkton Heathfield and Cheddon Fitzpaine areas of Somerset, with a further phase of work beginning later this month.
The scheme, which started in January, 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. Since work began the gas emergency and pipeline service has made good progress, upgrading 1km of gas pipes and gas supplies to 80 local homes.
The next stage of work, which will start on 29 April, will be complete by July and the overall gas pipe investment programme is on schedule to finish by December 2019.
Ahead of the work starting Wales & West Utilities has worked closely with Somerset County Council to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. To keep the local community, road users and our colleagues safe, it has been agreed that road closures will be in place whilst work is ongoing and diversion routes will be clearly signposted. For ease these have been split into three phases:
- Phase One will start the week commencing 29 April and will be in place for four weeks. During this time Gotton Lane will be closed, from outside Renfrew Cottage to the junction of Cheddon Fitzpaine Road and Greenway.
- Phase Two will involve a closure along Sidbrook from its junction with Greenway to its junction with Blundells Lane. This will be in place for five weeks from 20 May.
- Phase Three will start the week commencing 24 June for two weeks. This will involve a closure on Blundells Lane from its junction with Sidbrook to the junction with 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.