Wales & West Utilities says it thanks residents of Midsomer Norton in bearing with them as it continues, what the company says, a vital scheme to replace almost two kilometres of gas pipe, ensuring the area continues to receive a safe and reliable supply of gas for years to come. There have been long tailbacks in the town since March and this week, the company has announced it will need to close Station Road in Welton for four weeks from 20th July.

The scheme, which began in March this year, has, to date, involved work in and around Silver Street where two-way and three-way traffic lights have been in use. This scheme consists of essential work to replace old metal gas pipes with new plastic ones that have a lifespan of more than eighty years.

Prior to and during the scheme, Wales & West Utilities has been in liaison with Bath and North East Somerset Council, which has agreed all traffic management plans and has recently met with Councillor Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton.

Last week saw the removal of the temporary traffic lights at the junction of Silver Street and the High Street. The lights then moved to the section of Silver Street between Charlton Road and Lynwood Close, to allow the workforce to work safely in this area. This section of work should be complete by the end of this week.

Two way traffic lights will then be in use from the junction of St Chad's Avenue and Parkway. It is anticipated this will be complete and all traffic management removed from Silver Street by Monday, 13th July.

Phase two of the scheme will commence on Monday, 13th July in St Chad's Avenue for approximately one week. Phase three will then begin on Monday, 20th July on Station Road, Welton.

As part of this final phase, a full road closure will be in place for four weeks from the Stones Cross roundabout to the junction of Welton Vale. Access for the residents of Station Road will be maintained. Following the completion of work on Station Road, Bath and North East Somerset Council will resurface the area as part of their programme of work.

Wales & West Utilities Operations Officer, Garth Lamb, explains the delay to the work on Silver Street. He said: "During this scheme, we have encountered a number of unforeseen issues, which have unfortunately resulted in a slight delay to the first phase of work.

"Whilst carrying out excavation work, the existing main was found to be in an extremely bad condition filled with rust and debris, meaning we simply couldn't insert a new pipe. We also found a small section of our pipe was surrounded by equipment of a third party utility.

"As you can imagine, these issues have resulted in us having to carry out additional work in order to complete the planned work. We are

grateful to local people and business owners for bearing with us during this essential work."

This work is part of the company's multi-million-pound thirty-year mains replacement programme, across Wales and the South West, which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within thirty metres of buildings are being replaced with new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than eighty years.

People can always approach the team on site with any questions, or alternatively, ring the customer services team on: 0800 912 2999 or: 02921 678 455. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call: 0800 111 999.

Speaking about the delays, Paul Myers, Mayor of

Midsomer Norton and B&NES Councillor, said: "Whilst I sympathise with the difficulties that Wales & West Utilities have encountered in replacing the gas mains in Midsomer Norton, I have emphasised the problems and frustrations the work has caused to local residents and businesses in the town when I met with them recently.

"As well as asking for better signage about who is doing the work and how long it is due to last, I've asked for the contractor to look at ways to speed up the work and to take any measures possible to reduce congestion."