Ashburton is open for business as gas upgrade project begins

A major infrastructure project to upgrade over 1,800 metres of gas pipes in Ashburton’s Eastern Road area is now underway. The £450,000 scheme, led by Wales & West Utilities, began earlier this month and is scheduled to be completed by October 2025, subject to any unforeseen engineering issues.

The project is part of ongoing efforts to modernise the UK’s ageing gas network, ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of gas to homes and businesses. This essential upgrade is designed to support energy needs well into the future, keeping local residents warm and secure.

The work, while necessary, involves significant disruption to traffic in the area. Wales & West Utilities has worked closely with Devon County Council to plan traffic management measures aimed at ensuring public and worker safety while maintaining access to the town.

Key traffic management phases include:

• Road closure on East Street and Eastern Road: until 18th July

• Work at the junction of Cooks Close: 27th May – 9th June

• Work on Jordan Meadow: 16th June – 4th July

• Two-way traffic lights on Balland Lane: 30th June – 22nd August

• Road closure from Little Roborough to the rear of 69 Home Park: 18th August – 15th September

• Work on and along the footpath of Home Park: 15th September – 13th October

Despite the disruptions, Wales & West Utilities is reassuring residents that Ashburton’s shops and businesses remain open throughout the works.

Abby Smith, who is managing the project for Wales & West Utilities, said: “We have been working with the Council to plan these essential works, and will continue to liaise with local traders to inform them of the plans and to answer any questions so that we can minimise disruption. We want to assure local people that shops in Ashburton remain open throughout this essential work.”

Wales & West Utilities serves around 7.5 million people across the South West of England and Wales, maintaining over 35,000km of gas pipelines. This work in Ashburton is part of a wider commitment to upgrade infrastructure that dates back, in many areas, to the early 20th century.

Abby Smith added: “We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it is essential to make sure we keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future.

“We’ll have a team of gas engineers on site throughout the project to make sure our work is completed as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum.

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

Anyone with questions about the work can contact Wales & West Utilities’ Customer Service Team on freephone 0800 912 2999, or reach out via social media:

• X (formerly Twitter): @WWUtilities

• Facebook: facebook.com/wwutilities

In the event of a gas leak or if you suspect carbon monoxide, call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 immediately—services are available 24/7.

This project is part of Wales & West Utilities’ ongoing investment in the region's energy infrastructure, ensuring communities like Ashburton continue to receive a secure gas supply now and in the years to come.