Delay in completing new gas pipes for Newtown

Wales & West Utilities is working on the final stage of gas improvement works in Newtown, replacing nearly a kilometre of old metal gas pipes with new long-lasting plastic pipes to keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area.

Completion of this final phase of work in Canal Street and Commercial Street will be delayed, due to engineering difficulties.

Wales & West Utilities Project Manager for the scheme, Andrew Dransfield, explains, “We planned to complete the last phase of work during the school summer holidays, but we have come across a number of problems that will delay us completing this scheme by four weeks. Our new expected completion date is now the 28 September.

“Problems have been caused by the sheer depth at which the old pipe was laid, as well as finding a piece of utility equipment, unrelated to the gas network, laid in the way of our new gas pipe.  We also came across two large storm water drains and we have to negotiate our way around them. This all slows completion of our works.

“We know that working in communities is disruptive and we do try to keep this to a minimum and we assure people that this really is essential work to replace gas pipes that have been the subject of gas leaks over the last few years. By replacing the old gas pipe now, it reduces the risk of further leaks and the need for us to carry out disruptive as well as costly repairs in the future. 

“Our temporary traffic management will remain in place to keep everyone safe while we are working. We will install a one-way system on Commercial Street, once we pass the Llanfair road junction, so traffic travels eastbound only from the B4568 roundabout to Canal Road. Two-way lights will be in use across the roundabout to control the traffic off Milford Road and Long Bridge Street. While the lights are in use, Crescent Street will be closed onto the roundabout.”