Cheddar gas pipe upgrade
Update - Friday 21 March
We were alerted to a reported gas escape on Cheddar Road and the area has been carefully monitored using our stringent gas safety management procedures. We have made the decision to replace 1.2km of gas main in this case to ensure the security of the gas network and the temporary closure of Cheddar Road. The closure is essential to ensure our engineering teams, local residents and motorists are safe while we carry out critical upgrade work to the gas network.
We have worked closely with Cheddar Council and Somerset Council and agreed a road closure as the most appropriate measure due to the location of the gas main and to keep our workforce safe. We are upgrading 1.2km of gas mains, and our engineering teams, whilst not immediately visible are working on this upgrade safely, and as quickly as we can.
Barring any unforeseen engineering difficulties, the road closure will be lifted during early April 2025. During the next phase of our work, we will use temporary traffic lights allowing access from Wedmore to Cheddar.
We would like to thank you for your patience and cooperation and advise that motorists to allow extra time for travel, if possible while the road closure and subsequent traffic lights are in place.
Wales & West Utilities Simon Lee is managing this gas pipe upgrade work and said:
We have worked with Somerset Council to minimise disruption to motorists.
We know that working in areas 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. We’ll have a team of gas engineers on site throughout the final section of this project to make sure our work is completed as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum.
While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of people across the wider area. 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 hydrogen and biomethane, so we can all play our part in a green future.
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.
Alternatively, you can contact us on X, formerly Twitter @WWUtilities or https://www.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 them on 0800 111 999 straight away, and engineers will be there to help any time of day or night.