Wales & West Utilities has apologised for the significant disruption caused to residents by the ongoing work on North Road in Bath to upgrade the gas network.
Wales & West Utilities Senior Technical Manager Neil Dalley said: “We are working in the North Road area of Bath to upgrade the gas network.
“This £175,000 investment is essential to keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future.
“We started work on 29 July and anticipate our work will be finished by the end of August. This work was planned for the school summer holidays to reduce the impact on local roads.
“In agreement with Bath and North East Somerset Council and to keep the local community, road users and our colleagues safe while we work, North Road is closed at its junction with The Firs to its junction with Combe Road.
“A diversion route, directing traffic into the city centre and back out again is in place and clearly signposted.
“We’re sorry for the disruption our work has caused.”
After reviewing the traffic management plans in the area, Wales & West Utilities will now carry out the following, to help reduce disruption in Combe Down:
- Increase the amount of Diversion, No Access and Road Closed signs. They are also adding electronic signs on Claverton Down Road and Bradford Road that indicate residential access to Combe Down only.
- Make Tyning Road one way only. Vehicles will not be able to turn into Tyning Road from North Road to stop traffic using it as a cut-through.
- Between 7am and 7pm, marshals will be in place at the junction of North Road, The Avenue and Ralph Allen Drive; and at the junction of Bradford Road and North Road, directing through traffic down the diversion route. Access will be limited to local residents. Local businesses will be open as usual.
- Members of the Wales & West Utilities team will be visiting homes on Tyning Road, The Firs, The Avenue, North Road, Combe Road and Church Road, to update them on the progress and let them know how they’re managing traffic in the area.
- Wales & West Utilities will again write to local homes to keep them informed about the work.
Mr Dalley continued: “We would urge all road users, particularly heavy goods vehicles, to follow the marked diversion route. We are working alongside the local Police and would remind road users to obey traffic law at all times.
“Additionally, we would also respectfully ask that the small number of local people who are damaging and moving signs and barriers stop doing so.
“Our team is working 7 days a week to make sure that the work is completed as safely and as quickly as possible.
“We really appreciate the patience of local people and road users while we are working.
“We know working on roads like these is not ideal, but this work really is essential to keep the gas flowing to heat homes and power businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future and can play its part in delivering reliable and affordable green energy.
“Our Customer Service Team is ready to take your call if you have any questions about our work. You can contact them on freephone 0800 912 2999 or [email protected]. Alternatively, you can contact us on Twitter @WWUtilities or Facebook.com/WWUtilities.”
The work is set to be completed by the end of August.