Latest news with #andWestUtilities
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Major gas works in Taunton set to cause road closures
A major upgrade to a gas main will mean diversions for and West Utilities is due to begin work around Bishops Hull Road and Silk Mills Road in Taunton on one will run until the end of June and will see road closures on Bishops Hull Road and Comeytrowe Lane, with two-way traffic lights on Stonegallows and Wellington New Road from 27 May to 13 Parker, who owns the village shop and butcher, has been told the work will begin outside his premises. "It's going to affect business a lot, with the road closure," he said. 'Huge amount of pressure' "I think it's going to cause general chaos... if customers don't make the effort, it's going to do serious damage to my business."Mr Parker added the works come at the same time as rises to National Insurance contributions, increases in minimum wage and bigger energy bills."Those are going to stay the same whether we have lots of business or we have not a lot of business, so when we don't have so much business, it has a huge affect on the viability of our business and put a huge amount of pressure on us."Phase two is due to begin in mid June and will see intermittent closures on Silk Mills Road until the project is work will see older metal pipes replaced by more durable plastic ones that are better suited to carrying greener project involves a £357,000 investment and is part of a broader, multi-million-pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme across Wales and the South West of England. Related work has already been carried out in the centre of Taunton and Chard.
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Public consultation being held ahead of major gas works
Motorists face six months of disruption as works to replace gas mains are set to and West Utilities (WWU) is upgrading pipes on Bishops Hull Road and Silk Mills Road in Taunton, Somerset, from 31 the works, road closures and traffic management systems will be in place as older metal pipes are replaced by longer-lasting plastic ones, WWU will be able to review the plans at a drop-in event between 14:00 and 19:00 GMT on Wednesday. Tom Parker, owner of Bishops Hull Stores, Post Office and butchers, has warned that planned road closures could have a "catastrophic" impact on his business. He said: "I think people will think twice about coming up here. Hopefully we can garner enough support by explaining the situation and hopefully there is not a massive drop-off in trade."A WWU spokesperson said the works were "essential to keep the gas flowing safely and reliably to local homes and businesses, keeping people warm for generations to come". To minimise disruption, the project will be carried out in two phases:Bishops Hull Road SchemeRoad closure on Bishops Hull Road from 31 March to the end of JuneWork on Orchard Drive from 21 April to 4 MayRoad closures on Bishops Hull Road and Comeytrowe Lane, with 2-way traffic lights on Stonegallows and Wellington New Road from 27 May to 13 JuneMountway RoadDirectional closure on Silk Mills Road from 16 June to 25 JulyDirectional closure on Silk Mills Road with a road closure of the junction of Mountway Road from 28 July to 17 AugustDirectional closure on Silk Mills Road with a road closure on Waterfield Drive and a lane closure on Wellington New Road from 18 August to 7 SeptemberMr Parker added the works could be "potentially catastrophic" because they could reduce footfall at a time when businesses are already struggling. "Big lorries come in here every week to deliver all our supplies and the roadworks will cause quite a big issue," he added.
