Gas pipes get upgrade in Saltford

WORK that began at New Year to upgrade gas pipes along the A4 Bath Road in Saltford is scheduled to continue into the spring.

Wales & West Utilities announced that phase one of the scheme is being carried out from close to the Grange Road junction in Saltford to near the Pixash Lane junction in Keynsham.

Barring any significant engineering difficulties, the company anticipates that the work will be finished by April.

The current phase involves upgrading 1km of old metallic gas main, as well as upgrading associated service pipes to affected businesses and properties.

The company says that work is being carried out during off-peak hours (from 9.30am to 2.30pm) and any requirement for two-way lights will be limited to minimised disruption.

Wales & West says its records indicate that the gas main runs along the footway, so it hopes that any encroachments into the carriageway are minimal. Phase two will involve work on Bristol Road, near the roundabout by A39/The Globe Inn.

Saltford Parish Council, which is being kept informed about progress by Wales & West Utilities, said: “WWU were advised that resurfacing works is due to take place and, with the extensive number of leaks this gas main has experienced, it was thought wise to include these works to avoid having to excavate on a newly resurfaced carriageway.”

Phase three will then involve the upgrading of all outstanding metallic gas mains in Saltford, which would then make the village an all-polythene plastic network.

Work in Mead Lane, which was originally planned for this summer, has been postponed until further notice due to Wessex Water’s ongoing works at their Saltford treatment centre.

For more information about planned roadworks (and some emergency roadworks) in the B&NES area, visit the One.Network website at https://one.network/