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Search the Public Notice PortalA major route through Wiltshire will see a ‘significant road closure’ as a gas upgrade project worth £140,000 is set to begin next week.
The A350 at Westbury is to close from Monday, July 21, between Haynes Road/West End to Market Place as Wales and West Utilities begin a programme of gas infrastructure works.
The works will mean a full road closure will be in place from that date until Friday, August 29, when they are expected to come to an end.
Wiltshire Council has said access to the Market Place shopping area will be maintained, but HGV access beyond The Mead and Bitham Park from the north will be restricted to deliveries only.
A 7.5-tonne weight limit will be in place on both The Mead and Bitham Park to prevent HGVs from using these routes.
All vehicles have been advised use the official diversion route, via the A361 through Southwick and Beckington, followed by the A36 to Upton Scudamore.
Cllr Martin Smith, cabinet member for Highways, said: “We understand this closure will cause disruption, but it’s vital to ensure the long-term safety and reliability of the gas network in Westbury.
“We’ve worked closely with Wales & West Utilities to minimise the impact as much as we can and maintain access for both residents and Market Place shoppers, and I’d like to thank residents and businesses for their patience and cooperation during this essential work.”
A spokesperson for Wales and West Utilities has confirmed the project cost for the upgrades to be £140,000.
The project will see the installation of new pipes that will last longer, meaning they are less likely to leak, and they will be able to transport greener gas, such as hydrogen or biomethane, in the future.
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Wales and West Utilities also hosted a public engagement on July 8, seeking resident feedback on the plans to shut the road and improve the supply.
Speaking ahead of the engagement, Wales & West Utilities Simon Lee, who is managing the work, said: “We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it really 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.
“While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of people across the area.
“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.
“This work is essential to keep the gas flowing to local homes and businesses today, and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport hydrogen and biomethane, so we can all play our part in a green future.”
Although the road closure is taking place to accommodate gas infrastructure works, the announcement of the closure comes just weeks after South West Wiltshire’s MP Dr Andrew Murrison renewed calls for changes to traffic through Westbury.
Earlier this year, Dr Murrison told the Wiltshire Times that a newly-proposed HGV corridor along the A350 "can't work" without plans for a bypass for Westbury.
“Westbury needs a western bypass urgently. The M4-Dorset Coast Study is central to achieving it," he said.
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