From Tuesday 19 August SGN contractors, I&G Contractors Limited, will be carrying out emergency work to replace the gas main along Valley Road in Wareham.
There have been several gas leaks on the network, which means that long-term repairs aren’t viable, and replacing the pipes is the only permanent solution to address further leakage and disruption. Barring any engineering difficulties, the project will be ongoing for approximately 29 weeks.
Work will start immediately after the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, and the team will be working extended hours Monday to Saturday, where mandatory fatigue working hours allow.
Due to the size and age of the old gas main, we will need to install the new pipe using an open-cut method. This will involve excavations and trenches along the road as we install the new pipe. Once we have completed a section, we will reinstate the road and continue our work along the road.
We understand how disruptive these works will be for the community and road users of Purbeck and southeast Dorset, especially during the summer months. We assure you, the team will be doing everything they can to complete these works as quickly and as safely as possible.
Vehicle access to properties will be maintained throughout the programme of work.
Temporary traffic lights
Due to the location of the work, and for everyone’s safety, temporary traffic lights will be in place along Valley Road, between its junctions with Nursery Bridge Farm and Woodwhyde Farm.
To help minimise disruption for road users, we’ll be using the latest auto green censored traffic lights when two-way lights are in operation, whilst we’ll manually control (7am – 7pm) three and four-way lights when we’re working near junctions. These will be closely monitored and adjusted if required.
Bus stops
As we progress along the road, we may need to temporarily suspend bus stops and alternative temporary stops will be provided. For information about changes to bus stop locations and timetables, we advise passengers to contact their service provider. Please visit:
Morebus - https://www.morebus.co.uk/service-updates
First Bus - https://www.firstbus.co.uk/bristol-bath-and-west/news-and-service-updates
Service connections to properties – gas interruptions
Once the new gas main is installed, properties with gas services on Valley Road will need to be connected to it, and our engineers will need access to properties to carry out the necessary work.
Affected properties will receive further information, and our team will liaise directly with you to make local access arrangements.
We will not interrupt your gas supply without advance notice.
If you have any specific questions regarding these works, please email customer@sgn.co.uk.
We’re sorry for the inconvenience this work will cause, and thank local people for their patience and understanding.