A SERIES of gas works which have been ongoing in Bude for more than five months are set to move into their next phase of development.

Wales and West Utilities has announced that it is entering the next stage of its £630,000 gas pipe project in the coastal town.

The gas emergency and pipeline service began the £634,000 project in September last year in the West Park Road area of Bude and has now progressed to the next section of the project, which involves working in the Poughill Road area.

The organisation has expressed that the work is essential to keep the gas flowing safely and reliably to local homes and businesses, keeping people warm for generations to come, and will be ongoing until the end of the summer next year.

The gas emergency and pipeline service has liaised with Cornwall Council to plan the work, and as such a number of traffic management systems have been planned.

These plans include a set of rolling traffic lights on Poughill Road, penned to last until February 2.

On top of this, between February 3 and March 8, a road closure on Poughill Road, between its junctions with Ocean View Road and West Fairholme Road, as well as a junction closure on Poughill Road and Creathorne Road, will be in place.

Following this, works will then continue along Poughill Road, and temporary traffic lights will be used until mid-May

Commenting on the project, Wales and West Utilities’ Roxanne Whittaker, who is managing this work, has reassured residents that positive progress is being made.

She has also reminded locals that while works may be causing an inconvenience, they are essential to ensure the area’s gas network is fit for the future.

She said: “We are making good progress with this project and are pleased to report that we are on track, having started this next phase.

“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 wider Bude 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.

“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.”