Major gas pipe upgrade coming to Saltash this summer

Gas pipes in the Hessary View area of Saltash are being replaced from the middle of July, and drivers will see road closures and temporary traffic lights go in while the work is carried out.

Wales & West Utilities is starting the upgrade on 13 July and expects to finish in October, all being well. The company says the work is needed to keep gas flowing safely and reliably to homes and businesses across the area.

The roads affected

The plans have been agreed with Cornwall Council, and traffic management will be in place throughout. The initial arrangements are:

• A road closure on Lollabury Road, from the junction of Callington Road to the rear of 94 Callington Road, from 13 to 27 July
• Two-way traffic lights on Callington Road, from 13 to 27 July
• A road closure on Hillside, between the junction of 82/84 and 65 Hillside Road, from 3 to 21 August

Drivers will also need to give and take on St. George’s Road from 13 July to 7 August, and on Hillside Road from 13 July to 28 August.

Part of a £2.2 million programme

The Saltash job is one piece of a much bigger push. Wales & West Utilities is investing over £2.2 million over the next two years to upgrade gas pipes across the area, with more than 7,700 metres of pipe due to be replaced.

Natalie Raphael is managing the work for Wales & West Utilities. She said the company was committed to keeping the local community updated on its progress and would keep working closely with the local authority.

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

She said the aim was to avoid coming back any time soon once this phase was done.

“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. 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.”

More detail on the scheme is available through the Wales & West Utilities gas pipe upgrade projects page, and customers can find out what to expect from the work on the gas pipe upgrades service page.

Anyone who smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999. Engineers are available around the clock.