Wem town centre faces two months of gas works disruption
Wem town centre faces about two months of disruption while a major scheme to carry out gas works is carried out.
Wales & West Utilities has announced plans to upgrade the gas network in parts of the town.
Work, which is set to take about eight weeks to complete, is due to start at the beginning of February to avoid the busy festive season.
Work will take place in High Street, Market Street, Aston Street and Leek Street. The extent of the disruption is unclear, but WWU bosses said it would be necessary to introduce temporary traffic management in the town.
Traders have been reacting to the news.
Dee Morgan owner of the Soul Bird gallery in High Street, said: "I think it could be a complete nightmare. The build-up of traffic could be massive and it will surely put people off coming into the town. But I know it needs to be done ."
John Murray, a Wem town councillor and owner of The Treacle Mine sweet shop and cafe in the town centre, added: "It is essential work which needs to be done. I think it is brilliant news if they are going to do it in eight weeks."
The utility firm said the project would involve installing 450 metres of new plastic gas pipe with a lifespan of more than 80 years. It forms part of its multi-million pound, 30-year replacement programme, where old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced.
Peter Hughes, WWU project manager for the scheme, said: "We know that working in busy towns is disruptive for local people and visitors, and we have done our best to plan a gas mains replacement scheme for Wem that will limit this inconvenience as much as possible.
"For local traders, it will be business as usual whilst we are on site and we will put up signs to clearly show this. Safety is always our highest priority and, to ensure we keep road users, pedestrians and our workforce safe, it will be necessary to introduce temporary traffic manage- ment measures which will be agreed with North Shropshire Council's highways department."
Mr Hughes will give a presentation about the scheme at tonight's Wem Town Council meeting in Edinburgh House, from 7pm. Leaflets will also be sent to local residents and businesses, inviting them to a drop-in session at Wem Town Hall on December 17, between 3pm and 6pm.
