Months of gas pipe upgrades begin in Exmouth next week, sparking a road closure and temporary traffic lights in Littleham.
Wales & West Utilities will begin work in the Salterton Road area of Exmouth on Monday, June 8, and will continue into 2027.
The contractor said traffic controls will be in place throughout the works, starting with a directional road closure from June 8, followed by temporary traffic lights in September.
The county council has agreed:
- A direction road closure on Cranford Avenue/Littleham Road. No vehicle access to Cranford Avenue from Littleham Road from June 8 until July 3, 2026.
- Temporary traffic lights on Littleham Road from September 1 until September 4, 2026.
Wales & West Utilities said it is investing £2.5million upgrading more than 8,500metres of gas pipes across Exmouth – the equivalent length of around 70 football pitches.
The company said hundreds of customers were set to benefit from the improvements.
Traffic restrictions include no vehicle access to Cranford Avenue from Littleham Road, pictured here, from June 8 until July 3, 2026. Image: Google Street View.
A Wales & West Utilities spokesperson said: “The project is part of Wales & West Utilities work to invest over £2.5 million over the next few years to upgrade gas pipes across Exmouth.
“The intensive programme of wider mains replacement works will see over 8,500 metres of gas pipes upgraded across the area as the company upgrades the critical energy infrastructure in the area to benefit approximately 950 local customers.”
The utilities company said it aimed to keep Exmouth residents in the loop while working in the town.
Wales & West Utilities said the upgrade would improve the area’s current gas network and allow for greener options in the future.
Roxanne Whittaker, managing the work for Wales & West Utilities, said: “We are committed to keep the local community updated of our progress as we work to upgrade our gas network to ensure it remains safe, reliable and fit for the future for the customers we serve across the area.
“We’ll continue to work closely with the local authority, and commit to keep communities informed as projects are planned and delivered.”
She said once the work was finished it would be ‘decades’ before the contractor would need to revisit the area.
Miss Whittaker: “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.
“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.
She added: “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.”
