Gas mains work set to cause major disruption

12:17pm Thursday 21st August 2008

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A £500,000 project to replace nearly 1,500 metres of metal gas pipes in Milford Haven could cause ‘major disruptions’ over the next five months.

The essential gas mains work will be carried out by gas distribution company Wales and West Utilities (WWU) and will begin on Monday, September 15.

The first phase of work will go from St Peter’s Road along to Priory Road to replace old metal gas pipes with new non-corroding plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years.

The second phase will go from Marble Hall Road to its junction with Castle Terrace and the final phase from St Peter’s Road to Coombes Drive.

West ward town councillor John Cole said: “I accept it is an important development and it obviously has to be done. However, I can see there are going to be major problems with some of the roads affected being extremely busy.

“Also some residents park their cars along these roads. Where are they going to park while the work is carried out?”

Traffic management measures will be introduced and WWU says it will work closely with the Highways Authority to ensure “inconvenience is kept to an absolute minimum.”

With phase one of the project being carried out alongside three primary schools and a leisure centre county councillor Rhys Sinnett said: “It’s a shame phase one of this work couldn’t have been done in the school holidays.

“At the start and end of the schoolday it’s already very difficult to drive or park around that area.”

WWU’s network officer, Gareth Cook said: “We hope that, with the co-operation of local people this important gas replacement work will be completed as quickly as possible and with minimal disruption.”