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Wales & West Utilities has updated its plans to upgrade gas pipes in the Cotford Road area of Sidbury after consultation with the local community.

The £165,000 work, which started last week, was originally planned to include a month-long road closure on Cotford Road. However, after taking on board feedback from local people, plans have been updated and will now include a number of smaller and shorter road closures, allowing for increased access to the village. Traffic plans now include:

  • 14 - 23 February: Buckley Road will be closed at its junction with A375 Cotford Road and a diversion will be in place
  • 28 February – 4 March: A375 Cotford Road will be closed from Cotford Bridge (over the River Sid) to Roncombe Lane – including the first 100m of Roncombe Lane. A diversion route will be clearly signposted. Barring any engineering difficulties, A375 Cotford Road will reopen on 4 March
  • 7 - 14 March: the first 100m of Roncombe Lane will remain closed. Access to the A375 Cotford Road will be maintained for homes on Roncombe Lane
  • From 14 March: 3-way traffic lights will be in place on Cotford Road at Cotford Bridge (over the River Sid) and Buckley Lane. Barring engineering difficulties, these lights are expected to be in place for 1 week

The overall work is expected to finish by the end of March.

Wales & West Utilities Jake Sami is managing this gas pipe upgrade work. He said:

We’re pleased that we’ve been able to update our plans to act on the views of the local community. We’re committed to working alongside local people to make sure we can do our essential work while keeping disruption to a minimum.

Our work 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 the Sidbury 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.

East Devon District Councillor for Sidmouth Rural Ward, John Loudoun, said:

These are clearly essential works. I’m grateful to Wales & West Utilities for having reacted positively, and swiftly, to the concerns that I, and some residents, raised about the length of time and the impact on the flow of traffic along the A375, and through the village, that these works, as originally planned, would have had.

Residents will be pleased that the disruption that these works will bring, has now been significantly reduced. I am pleased to have been able to work constructively with Wales & West Utilities on behalf of the village.

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 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.