Business as usual as Ellesmere gas pipework begins

Wales & West Utilities has warned of disruption while it upgrades the gas network in parts of the town centre to improve services for users.

Work, which is set to take about four weeks to complete, started this week.

During the course of the scheme, work will take place in Cross Street, Market Street and Scotland Street.

But Lincoln McMullan, chairman of Ellesmere Chamber of Commerce and owner of The Signtists in Scotland Street, is urging people not to be put off from coming into the town despite the disruption.

Mr McMullan said: "Ellesmere has got a bit of a one-way system at the moment but all roads are accessible.

"There is a small diversion but it's easy after you have done it once. Ellesmere is open for business and all shops are open. Businesses are working with the utility company to make everything run smoothly."

WWU bosses said it will be necessary to introduce temporary traffic management measures which will be agreed with Shropshire Council.

The utility firm said the project involves installing 200 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 with highly durable, non-corroding plastic pipes.

Peter Hughes, WWU project manager, 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 Ellesmere 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 have put up signs to clearly show this.

"Safety is always our highest priority and, to ensure we keep road users, pedestrians and our workforce involved in the project safe, it will be necessary to have temporary road closures."

The work in Ellesmere will be followed by a similar gas pipe replacement scheme in Wem starting in February.