Weeks of road closures, temporary traffic lights and parking bans are set to start in Sidmouth next week, until September, while gas pipes are upgraded.
Wales & West Utilities has announced it will start a £336,000 upgrade on Tuesday, April 22, closing the road along Manstone Lane until mid-May, and setting up temporary traffic lights at a nearby junction until August.
Other restrictions include a parking ban lasting around a month, from June until mid-July for a residential area of town, and a further road closure.
The company said the upgrade will be completed during September ‘barring any engineering difficulties’.
The gas emergency and pipeline service said it had liaised with the town and county councils to plan the work, and the initial traffic management restrictions.
Roxanne Whittaker, from Wales & West Utilities, who is managing the upgrade, said: “This work is essential to keep the gas flowing to local homes and businesses today, and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport hydrogen and biomethane, so we can all play our part in a green future.”
The planned road restrictions are:
- Between April 22 and mid-May a closure will be in place along Manstone Lane, followed by three-way traffic lights at its junction with Arcot Road, Alexandra Road and Woolbrook Road.
- Following the completion of the road closure, works will continue under rolling two-way traffic lights until August.
- Between June 9 and mid-July a parking suspension will be in place on Tyrell Mead.
- Three-way traffic lights will also be in place as work continues to upgrade the gas pipes along Manstone Avenue with Woolbrook Road.
- Between September 8 – 21 a road closure will be in place on Sidford Road.
Ms Whittaker added: “We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it 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. 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.
“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 wider Sidmouth 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.”
