Wales & West Utilities is set to start a £225,000 gas pipe investment scheme in the Torquay Road area of Newton Abbot. The work to replace 500 metres of old gas pipe will start on 22 February and bring a safe and reliable gas supply to the area for years to come.
The four phase scheme will take place on Torquay Road, Courtlands Road and Forde Park Road and will take approximately eleven weeks to complete.
This essential work is part of the company’s multi-millionpound, 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.
Wales & West Utilities has worked closely with Devon County Council in planning the work, and to make sure there is the minimum disruption to local road users, it has been split into several phases.
- Phase 1 will involve laying almost 100 metres of new gas pipe on Torquay Road from the railway bridge to the junction of Courtlands Road. This work will start on 22 February and should be completed by 4 March. To make sure road users, pedestrians and our colleagues are safe while we work; there will be a westbound lane closure on Torquay Road for the duration of this work.
- Phase 2A will involve laying almost 12 metres of new gas pipe from outside number 43 Torquay Road to the traffic island at the Courtlands Road junction. This work will start on 7 March and, to minimise disruption, it has been agreed that it will be undertaken during the evening (7pm – 2am). It should take three nights to complete. A westbound lane closure will be in operation on Torquay Road.
- Phase 2B will involve laying a further 150 metres of new gas pipe from the traffic island at the junction of Courtlands Road and Torquay Road to the junction of Station Road and Torquay Road and into Forde Park.
- Phase 3 will involve laying almost 20 metres of new gas pipe from the junction of Courtlands Road to outside 39 Torquay Road. This work will begin on 14 March and should take 4 nights to complete. Again, in agreement with Devon County Council, we will be working between 7pm – 2am. To make sure road users, pedestrians and our colleagues are safe while we work, we will be using 2 way traffic lights.
- Phase 4 will involve laying almost 200 metres of new gas pipe from outside 39 Torquay Road to the junction of Devon Square. This work will start on 18 March and is anticipated to be complete by 5 May. To make sure road users, pedestrians and our colleagues are safe while we work, there will be two way traffic lights in place on Torquay Road during this phase of work.
Wales & West Utilities Programme Controller, Barry Sale, said:
“We know that working on roads like this one is not ideal, but it is essential in supporting the area into the future. We’ll have a team of gas engineers on site throughout the project to make that the work is completed as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum.
“Replacing old metal gas pipes is a complex job and depending on what we find when we start work, our plans may need to change. We will make sure local people are kept updated of our progress.
“All local businesses will be open as usual whilst we are working and we will accommodate trade deliveries. We would like to thank local people in advance for their understanding will we do this essential work.”
Once we start work, people can always approach the team on site with any questions. Our Customer Service Team is also ready to take your call if you have any questions about our work. You can contact them on free phone 0800 912 2999 or by 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 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.