The Ridgeway area of Newport is set to benefit as Wales & West Utilities begins a project to upgrade gas pipes in the area.
The £490,000 project, which starts on 27 August, involves upgrading 3.5 kilometres of gas pipes in the Risca Road and Glasllwch Crescent areas of the city and 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.Barring any engineering difficulties, it is expected to be complete during February next year.
In planning the work Wales & West Utilities has worked closely with Newport City Council to make sure disruption is kept to a minimum. To keep the local community, road users and our colleagues safe, it has been agreed that partial road closures and traffic lights will be in place throughout the scheme. Full details will be available on the roadworks page on Newport City Council’s website http://www.newport.gov.uk/en/Transport-Streets/Road-Street-Maintenance/Road-works.aspx.
Junction closures will also be required on Redbrook Road, Nant Coch Drive, Ridgeway, Melbourne Way and Western Avenue. One-way access will be maintained for residents and diversion routes will be clearly signposted.
Wales & West Utilities Programme Controller, Adam Smith, is managing the work and said:
“We are aware that Melbourne Way is an important junction, providing access to Glasllwch Primary School but we need to ensure that Risca Road operates under two-way lights to avoid traffic backing up on the M4. Closing the junction of Melbourne Way will minimise the possibility of this and, so, access to the school will be maintained via Western Avenue. Diversion routes will clearly be signposted whilst we work.
“While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of people across Newport. 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 in areas like this is not ideal, but it really is essential. 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 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.