Wales and West Utilities is to start work to upgrade gas pipes in Penryn at the end of the month.

The £450,000 work, in the West area of the town, begins on Monday 26th July and is essential to keep the gas flowing to heat homes and power businesses so that people are safe and warm for generations to come.

It involves upgrading over 2 kilometres of gas pipes and, barring any engineering difficulties, will be complete by February next year.

To plan the work and make sure disruption is kept to a minimum Wales & West Utilities has worked closely with Cornwall Council and it has been agreed that traffic management will be used throughout the scheme.

Local residents and businesses directly affected by the work will receive information and are encouraged to contact Wales & West Utilities should they have any queries.

Wales & West Utilities Jason Gale is managing this gas pipe upgrade work.

He said:

"While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of people across Penryn.

"Whether it's heating your home, making the family dinner or having a hot bath, we understand how important it is for your gas supply to be safe and reliable and there when you need it.

"This work is essential to keep the gas flowing to local homes and businesses today, and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport hydrogen and biomethane, so we can all play our part in a green future.

"We will work as safely and as quickly as possible to finish the work, whilst keeping inconvenience to a minimum for local people and road users.

"Our engineers are following all hygiene and social distancing guidelines and we would respectfully ask that you keep a 2m distance if passing our work site.

"To support communities through Coronavirus, we're working hard to keep the gas flowing so local people are safe and warm."

Wales & West Utilities teams will follow clear guidelines to keep themselves and local people safe. This includes:

• Before entering customer's homes, engineers will wash their hands with soap and water.

• While in customer's homes, they'll wear face coverings and eye protection, and may ask anyone else in the house to stand in another room while they are working.

• When working in the street, they'll social distance as far as possible, and would urge local people who may be passing to keep 2m away from work sites.

In an update, Wales and West Utilities confirmed the specific areas where the work will be taking place. These are subject to change, depending on the engineering work, they are:

• Treliever Road - 26 July – 6 September – this will include a mix of 2 and 3-way traffic lights.

• Western Place – 26 July – end of August.

• Browns Hill – 18 August – 6 September– this will include a mix of 2 and 3-way traffic lights.

• West Street – 6 September – 22 November. This will include a road closure which will be in place from 7am-7pm. Access for residents will be maintained.

• Working in Treliever Road from 22 November – 10 December – also working off several of its side roads during this time.

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