WORK is starting by Wales & West Utilities to upgrade the gas network in Teignmouth.

The £200,000 work, in the Higher Exeter Road area, starts today (Thursday).

A spokesperson for the company said: ‘It is essential to keep the gas flowing safely and reliably to local homes and businesses.

‘It will involve upgrading one kilometre of gas pipe and will finish by the end of May, keeping local people safe and warm for generations to come.

‘To keep disruption to a minimum Wales and West Utilities has worked closely with Devon County Council. So that engineers and the local community are kept safe during the work, traffic lights and a 20mph speed restriction will be in place throughout the work.’

Wales & West Utilities’ Roxanne Whittaker is managing this gas pipe upgrade work and 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 Teignmouth.

‘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, while 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

‘Our Customer Service Team is ready to take your call if you have any questions about our work. You can contact them on freephone 0800 912 2999 or [email protected].

‘Alternatively, you can contact us on Twitter @WWUtilities or Facebook.com/WWUtilities.

‘Wales and West Utilities look after the pipes that keep the gas flowing to heat the homes and power businesses of 7.5 million people across Wales and south west England. They operate the gas emergency service, connect new homes and businesses, and upgrade the gas network so it’s safe today and fit for a green future.

‘If you smell gas, or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, call us on 0800 111 999 straight away, and our engineers will be there to help any time of day or night.’