Busy Oswestry roads closing for £350,000 gas pipes work
Two months of gas works affecting a major route in Oswestry will start on Monday as part of £350,000 pipe replacement scheme.
Homes and businesses in the northern part of Oswestry will have old metal gas pipes replaced as part of the nine-week project.
The work will affect roads including Gobowen Road, one of the main routes into Oswestry, as well as Beatrice Street in the town centre and several residential streets.
The scheme to update gas supply pipes will be carried out by Wales and West Utilities.
Francis Kirk, Wales and West Utilities programme controller for Shropshire, said: "We will be working in the Gobowen Road area of Oswestry, including Gobowen Road, Coppice Drive, Cambrian Drive, Llwyn Road, Beatrice Street and Llwyn Fields.
"We need to replace more than 650 metres of old metal gas pipes with new plastic ones.
"This essential work is part of a £350,000 investment in Oswestry to make sure that homes and businesses in the area continue to receive a safe and reliable supply of gas now and in the future. Our work will start on Monday and, barring any poor weather or unforeseen circumstances, we estimate it will take up to nine weeks to complete."
Mr Kirk said during that time road closures would be in place along Coppice Drive, which will be closed for about a week from May 31.
Cambrian Drive will also close for about a week from June 6 with Llwyn Road closed for about two weeks from June 20.
Mr Kirk said: "While we are working temporary traffic lights will be in place and a diversion route will be clearly signposted.
"We have written to homes and businesses in the area letting them know what we are planning.
"This work is all part of our multi-million pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme, which began in 2002.
"Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced with new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years.
"This to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future."
Anyone who smells gas or thinks they have a leak can Wales and West Utilities on 0800 111999.
