Gas pipes upgrade work begins in Oswestry
Essential work to ensure the Oswestry area continues to have a safe and reliable gas supply for at least the next 80 years is underway in the town.
The work will involve replacing 63 metres of old metal gas pipes with new plastic pipes in parts of Leg Street, Albion Hill and Beatrice Street, together with approximately 18 associated gas services.
This will take approximately three weeks to complete and begun this week. The scheme has been planned in close coordination with the local authority and everyone whose gas supply will be directly affected has received an information letter about how it will impact on them.
The work is being carried out by contractors AMEC Foster Wheeler, on behalf of Wales & West Utilities.
Wales & West Utilities Project Manager for the scheme David Thomas said:
“It is essential that we replace these gas pipes to make sure that we can continue to provide a safe and reliable gas supply to this part of Oswestry.
“We are carrying out this work now so that we can reduce the risk of gas leaks occurring on this part of our network and minimise the need for us to carry out costly and disruptive ad hoc repairs.
“To keep local people, road users and our workforce safe while we are working, we will have a temporary road closure on Leg Street, with a diversionary route well signposted. We appreciate that working in communities is disruptive, but this is important work and we will try to keep disruption to a minimum.”
A drop-in information event was held earlier in January, giving everyone the opportunity to see what was planned and what it could mean for them.
This work is part of the company’s multi-million-pound 30-year mains replacement programme, across Wales and the south west of England, which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced with new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years.
