Latest news with #WalesWestUtilities
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Frustration as busy road closes to traffic for months
A busy Swindon road has closed and will remain shut to traffic for months during a major roadworks project. Devizes Road in Old Town closed on Monday, July 21, as part of a £120,000 project to upgrade gas pipes in the area. Traffic will be unable to use the route until Wales & West Utilities finishes the work and this is estimated to take until the end of September. One driver who lives in Old Town told the Adver the roadworks had impacted their commute. They said: 'I had to leave 15 minutes earlier, all the buses were diverted down Bath Road so it was hard to get out. 'There was definitely more traffic than usual, and it was difficult to get anywhere, it's very frustrating because it means my commute will take longer for the next few months.' Suggested reading Tributes paid to footballer after sudden death as donations pour in Police swarm town centre after person spotted on shopping centre roof More thunderstorms forecast as new weather warning issued Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱 💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Save over 50% on an annual subscription now. 🔗 #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025 Swindon Borough Council says it has worked to minimise disruption in the area. A spokesperson said: 'We have been working closely with businesses, and the Old Town Business Association, to help mitigate any impacts, including waiving cafe pavement licence fees. 'A diversion route will be in place and access for businesses and residents will be maintained. 'A series of street events will also be taking place on Devizes Road and Wood Street to support the local businesses impacted by the closure.'
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Drivers brace for summer holiday chaos as UK seaside hotspot hit with MONTHS of road closures
DRIVERS have been warned to brace for summer holiday chaos as a UK seaside hotspot is hit with months of road closures. The Cornwall town will see significant travel disruption over the next four months as part of a gas work upgrade. 2 2 The £110,000 gas work upgrade will start in the Marlborough Crescent area of Falmouth later this month. Utility company Wales & West said the upgrade work should be completed by mid November. They said: "The gas emergency and pipeline service is starting the work on 24 July and, barring any engineering difficulties, it will finish by mid-November. "The works are essential to keep the gas flowing safely to heat and power local homes and businesses, keeping people warm for generations." Traffic management will be in place throughout after the company liaised with Cornwall Council to plan the work. The road closures will include: Further traffic management will also be required between September and November. Wales & West Utilities Natalie Raphael is managing this work and said: "We have been working with the council to plan these essential works. 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. All UK car dealerships will STOP selling 10,000s of iconic brand's used models impacted by lethal airbag flaw 'While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of people across Cornwall. 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." Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales. Another busy road near one of Britain's best beaches is also still currently closed as it undergoes 14 weeks of works. For those travelling to Bournemouth from Walkford, they will need to follow a diversion route while a dodgy pipe is replaced. A finish date for the works has not been confirmed, but the 14 week closure should bring us to the end of August. And if you're hitting the roads for your summer holidays this year, drivers have been warned about making a deadly mistake over the holidays. Motorists have been urged to take regular stops on their long journeys after analysis revealed a steep rise in fatigue-related crashes during the summer months. National Highways issued the advice and warned that driver tiredness can lead to "dangerous mistakes". Drivers have been urged by the agency to plan breaks that go "beyond quick pit stops". They suggest activities such as exploring a nearby tourist attraction or beauty spot to ensure drivers are alert before they get back behind the wheel.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major Swindon road to close for three months
A major road is set to close for three months so a gas pipe can be upgraded. Part of a £120,000 project by Wales & West Utilities, the full closure of the A4289 Devizes Road, in Old Town, Swindon, began in June, will come into force from 21 July. The closure, expected to be in place for three months, was approved by Swindon Borough Council. Mick Gallavin, from Wales & West Utilities, said the work was essential to "make sure the gas network is fit for the future". More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The section of pipe being replaced is more than 80 years old and has reached the end of its operational life, the utility company said. In response to the closure, Friends of Old Town, which represents the Old Town Business Association, is holding a series of new summer street events to bring trade into the area. The events will take place on Wood Street on 3, 17 and 31 August and will include funfair rides, outdoor games, music and food. "These Sunday Socials are about turning disruption into something worth coming out for. They're designed to keep the area alive and thriving, not only for traders, but for the whole town," said Kris Talikowski, association chair. The events are partly being sponsored by Wales & West Utilities. Ross Gregory, from the company, said it understood the pressure roadworks can place on local high streets. "That's why we're pleased to support this community-led programme of events, a positive and creative way of keeping Old Town vibrant while we deliver vital gas infrastructure upgrades," he added. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Three-month road closure divides opinion Nine roads to be dug up by council in two months Related Internet Links Swindon Borough Council Wales and West Utilities Old Town Business Association
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Chard roadworks to continue until September after overrun
A Somerset community is facing further disruption after a series of roadworks were extended until September.A stretch of the A358 Furnham Road in Chard has been closed since January but was meant to be complete at the start of this month. Work is under way on the town's gas pipes and sewers but other issues have been uncovered during the first phase of work, causing delays to the the junction of Furnham Road and Glynswood, at one end of the main closure will close from Tuesday ahead of the next phase of sewer works. Wales & West Utilities have been carrying out a £415,000 upgrade of the gas main, switching from the current metal pipes to long-lasting plastic Wessex Water is also working on £1.3m of improvements to the local sewage network in a bid to reduce the flood risk to nearby properties and work began in January with drivers complaining about "long delays" on nearby diversion routes.A spokesperson said "good progress" was being made by engineering teams working on the water main renovation along with work on the new the presence of other utilities, not revealed during the previous surveys of the area, obstructed a short section along the route of the new a result the section of Furnham Road, which was due to have reopened at the end of May, will now remain shut until 1 September.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Nailsworth traders say George Street closure 'like Covid lockdown'
Road closure like 'lockdown part two', say traders 11 minutes ago Share Save Sophia Allsopp BBC News, West of England Share Save BBC Nailsworth businesses say roadworks on George Street mean they are struggling Businesses hit by a drop in trade during a lengthy road closure say they feel as though they are in "lockdown part two". George Street in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, was due to close overnight for three nights for resurfacing work in mid-April. More than three weeks later, it is yet to reopen after a digger damaged a gas main. Gloucestershire County Council said it was working with Wales & West Utilities to address "complications" with the repair. It thanked people for their patience. Meanwhile traders say they have lost thousands of pounds after footfall "fell off a cliff" across two bank holiday weekends. Christo Archer owns Waterloo House Cocktail and Wine Bar in George Street. He told the BBC he has seen a 60% drop in trade over the past three weekends. "This is lockdown part two for us," he said. "We've just got back on our feet." Christo Archer says there has been a 60% drop-off in trade at his bar "I've taken out another big loan. As a business we've missed two bank holiday weekends, which is so damaging," Mr Archer added. He confirmed he is seeking legal advice over what he says is lack of assistance from authorities and the lack of compensation. Business also told the BBC the smell of gas lingered in the area during part of the disruption. Charlotte Miles, who runs Pulp Lifestyle, said the entire street has suffered from a dramatic decline in customers. She estimates footfall in her shop is down 75%, with takings down by about 60%. Emily Marsland of Jacaranda Flowers and Charlotte Miles of Pulp Lifestyle "It's been pretty rough; the streets are pretty empty," Ms Miles said. "There's been lots and lots of work going on but the car parks have been empty. The footfall has completely fallen off a cliff." She said that, until recently, a lack of signs contributed to the problem as people could not see the shops and a car park were still open. "We've been told that we're unlikely to get any compensation for the period we've been affected," she added. She described the experience as giving "Covid flashbacks," with just a "handful of cars in the car park each day". Florist Emily Marsland, of Jacaranda Flowers, added: "We've had trouble with deliveries getting in and waste getting taken – it's been bad." A sign has been put at the top of road into Nailsworth to say businesses are open Wales & West Utilities confirmed it completed repairs to the gas main, but said the work was complex and required additional crews. Operations manager for the Stroud area, Andrew Wilding, said: "Our engineers worked as safely and as quickly as possible to isolate and stop the leak, making it safe." The road was due to reopen on Wednesday, but was once again delayed. A council spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, complications with the gas pipe repair meant works could not be completed. We are working with Wales and West Utilities to address this issue. "We appreciate the patience of the community as this is not something within the council's control." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
