Crewkerne gas main work could finish early

Work to replace a major gas line in Crewkerne could be finished earlier than expected, say the contractors carrying out the operation.

Morrison Utility Services, which is carrying out the work, held a public information event in the Victoria Hall where residents could come and ask questions about the project – which starts on Monday.

East Street, one of the town’s main entrance roads, faces a 40-day closure when a £170,000 scheme to replace a 646-metre stretch of gas main begins.

The road will be temporarily closed for more than half of the duration, from Monday, January 21, until Friday, March 1.

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Wales and West Utilities, which has scheduled the work, said Goulds Brook Terrace, Orchard Lane, East Street, Mount Pleasant, Court Barton, Church Street and Market Square will also be affected during the work.

Matthew Isaac, supervisor of Morrison Utility Services, was on hand to answer questions at the public information event.

He said: “People are quite rightly concerned about the level of disruption this will cause.

“Generally, we find that when works start and traffic gets used to what is going on then things tend to flow more than people perhaps think they will.

“Our workers were out drilling trial holes earlier this month to ascertain what apparatus was already in the ground and to try to find an old gas main that we thought was there.

“The fact that we found it means things could move quicker than we thought.

“The dates that we’ve set aside for the road being closed will remain the same but there could be scope to reopen it sooner than we thought.

“Every effort is being made to speed things up and minimise disruption.

“I spoke to a lot of people at the information event and seemed to be able to answer everyone’s questions and they left reasonably happy.”

Adam Loder, who owns Number 5 the deli and Number 7 the cafe in Crewkerne, has concerns over the impact roadworks will have on businesses in the town.

But he said he felt a bit better about the impending works after attending the public information event.

Mr Loder said: “I was impressed.

“The people at the information event weren’t there to talk rubbish and they understood the situation.

“But I feel they could have been a bit more forthcoming with us from the start.

“All regular people want is a bit of straight-talking and then there are no problems.

“Crewkerne is getting the most up-to-date and modern technology with this replacement work.

“The contractors are trying to finish the works earlier than anticipated and I hope they can.

“I don’t think it will be easy, but us local businesses will just have to try to make the best of the situation.”