£535k gas upgrade means two years of Wadebridge works

Drivers and residents around Gonvena Hill, Polmorla Road, Molesworth and West Park can expect to see the roads dug up over the coming months. Wales & West Utilities is putting £535,000 into replacing gas pipes across Wadebridge, and the work is set to run for the next two years.

What is happening

The programme will upgrade nearly 1.8 kilometres of gas pipes across the town. The company, which runs the gas emergency and pipeline service, says it will work with Cornwall Council to plan the projects and put any traffic measures in place.

Four parts of Wadebridge are lined up for the work: Gonvena Hill, Polmorla Road, Molesworth and West Park.

Why the pipes are being replaced

Abby Smith is managing the programme for Wales & West Utilities. She said the aim is to keep the network dependable for years to come.

“We’re investing in our gas network to ensure it remains safe, reliable and fit for the future for the customers we serve. We’ll be keeping the local community updated on these works and working with the local authority, and other key partners, to keep disruption to a minimum,” she said.

“We understand our work can cause disruption, but it is essential to maintain a resilient gas network that households and business can rely on every day.”

Abby added that the pipes do a job most people never think about until it stops.

“While much of the gas network is out of sight, it plays a vital role in daily life, from heating homes to cooking meals, and we know how important it is that gas is there when people need it.”

Once the digging is done

The company says finishing the work now should spare the area from repeat visits later. The upgraded pipes are also being described as ready to carry greener gases in future.

“Once we’ve completed this intensive phase of work, we’ll leave behind an upgraded network that meets today’s energy needs, and is ready to transport greener gases in the future,” Abby said. “By completing this work now, barring any emergency repairs, we can avoid returning to the area and causing further disruption to the local community for decades.”

Residents can check what is happening near them on the Wales & West Utilities gas pipe upgrade projects page, and there is more on what to expect once a project starts at the gas pipe upgrades service page.

Wales & West Utilities delivers energy to more than 7.5 million people across Wales and the south west of England. It does not sell gas but transports it through an underground network of more than 35,000 kilometres of pipes.

If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 straight away. Trained engineers are available around the clock.