ESSENTIAL gas mains work is to be carried out in Chagford early in the New Year, by gas distribution company Wales and West Utilities (WWU). The work ? expected to take around 12 weeks to complete ? will begin at the junction of Lower Street and Grammars Lane on January 7 and will continue through Southcombe Street and North Street ending with a separate road closure to complete Grammars Lane. The £100,000 project ? to replace around 400 metres of gas mains ? represents a major investment by Wales and West Utilities and is being carried out to ensure the security of gas supplies to people and businesses in the area. The work is part of a multi-million pound 30-year replacement programme across Wales and the South West where old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are to be replaced with highly durable, non-corroding plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years. In the run up to the start of these works, Wales and West Utilities has been working closely with Devon County Council, Chagford Parish Council, the emergency services and the local business community to ensure inconvenience to local people is kept to a minimum. Plans for the work, which include road closures and the introduction of a diversion route, were also shared with local people at an open meeting held at the parish council offices in November. For the safety of road users, pedestrians and the workforce involved, traffic management will also be introduced during the course of the project. Warning signs will be erected at strategic points along the works route to give advance notice of the road closures which will be introduced consecutively at Lower Street, Southcombe Street, North Street and Grammars Lane as work progresses along the route. Detailed plans of the diversion route are also being displayed at the local parish hall and are available on request from the parish council. David Smith, WWU?s network operations manager, said: ?We have been in detailed discussions with Devon County Council, the local council and others to ensure that disruption to road users, residents and businesses is minimised as far as possible and as a direct result of suggestions from local people we have also changed some of our plans to accommodate local wishes.? A spokesperson for Chagford Parish Council said: The decision to carry out the work was not a matter of choice but of absolute necessity and all those involved have undertaken to minimise the inconvenience as far as is possible. ?The timescale for the work has been chosen when there are fewer visitors in the area and the whole process will be completed on time if we all co-operate and accept the disruption.?
