Wales & West Utilities is shortly starting work to upgrade the gas pipes in the Alphington area of Exeter.
The first phase of the work, which starts on 27 July, is vital to ensuring gas continues to flow safely and reliably to homes and businesses across the area - helping to keep people warm for decades to come. The first phase will be complete by the end of November, and a further section of work will be required at a later date.
The work has been planned in conjunction with Devon County Council, and it has been agreed that traffic management will be in place during the project.
This includes:
- A road closure and parking suspension on Cowick Lane, between the junction of Alphington Road towards junction with Woodbury View (27 July – 1 September)
- A lane closure on Marsh Green Road West, with traffic unable to go straight on to Cowick Lane (27 July – 1 September)
- Traffic unable to turn right onto Cowick Lane from Alphington Road (27 July – 1 September)
- A road closure on Balls Farm Road (17 August – 1 September)
- A road closure and parking suspension on Church Road, with no access from Alphington Road into Church Road, up to Alphingbrook Road (1 September – 2 November)
The project is part of Wales & West Utilities work to invest over £1.9m over the next two years to upgrade gas pipes in Alphington. The intensive programme of wider mains replacement works will see over 6.5 kilometres of gas pipes upgraded across the area as the company upgrades the critical energy infrastructure in the area to benefit local customers.
Wales & West Utilities Roxanne Whittaker is managing this work and said:
“We have planned the bulk of this work to take place during the school holidays to minimise local disruption and our team is committed to working as quickly, and safely, as possible to complete the project in a timely fashion.
“This work involves investing in our gas network to ensure it remains safe, reliable and fit for the future for the customers we serve. We'll be keeping the local community updated on these works and working with the local authority, and other key partners, to keep disruption to a minimum.
“We understand our work can cause disruption, but it is essential to maintain a resilient gas network that households and business can rely on every day.
“While much of the gas network is out of sight, it plays a vital role in daily life – from heating homes to cooking meals and we know how important it is that gas is there when people need it.
“Once we’ve completed this intensive phase of work, we’ll leave behind an upgraded network that meets today’s energy needs, and is ready to transport greener gases in the future. By completing this work now, barring any emergency repairs, we can avoid returning to the area and causing further disruption to the local community for decades.”
For more information about work in your area, visit www.wwutilities.co.uk/gas-pipe-upgrade-projects/. As projects begin, customers can also find out what to expect from the work at www.wwutilities.co.uk/services/gas-pipe-upgrades/.

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