WORK has started on a £265,000 investment programme to upgrade the gas network in parts of Stow.

The project – to lay 700 metres of new plastic gas pipe – is a major investment by Wales and West Utilities and is essential for the safety and security of gas supplies to people and businesses in the area. It is part of the company’s multi-million pound 30-year replacement programme where old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced with highly durable, noncorroding plastic pipes which will last for more than 80 years. The work, which started on Monday, is expected to take 16 weeks and will mean northbound lane closures on Fosseway (A429) from the junction of Fosseway (A429) and the A424 at The Lodge to Quarwood Cottages.

Two-way traffic lights will be in place to manage traffic flow.

Lane closures and traffic lights will be removed between Friday, December 20, and Monday, January 6, over the Christmas period when work will be halted.

Steve Pritchard, Wales and West Utilities project manager for the scheme, said: “We know that working on busy roads is disruptive for local people and visitors and we have done our best to plan a gas mains improvement scheme for Stow that will limit this inconvenience as much as possible. We are sorry for the inconvenience but this work is vitally important to keep the gas flowing for years to come in Stow and we hope that people will bear with us.”

Call the customer services team on 029 20270653.