Major Road Closures in Taunton Due to Gas Main Upgrades
A significant road closure is on the horizon, affecting the daily lives of locals in Taunton, Somerset. Bishops Hull Road and Silk Mills Road will be closed for several months as Wales & West Utilities initiates crucial upgrades to the gas mains in the area. The work is set to commence immediately and is anticipated to last until June.
During the first phase of this extensive project, which is scheduled to run until the end of June, both Bishops Hull Road and Comeytrowe Lane will be completely closed to traffic. Additionally, two-way traffic lights will be installed on Stonegallows and Wellington New Road from May 27 to June 13 to manage the redirected traffic flow.
Local residents and business owners are expressing their concerns about the potential disruptions caused by these necessary works. Tom Parker, who operates a village shop and butcher, shared his worries with the BBC, stating, “The road closure is going to affect business significantly. I believe it’s going to result in complete chaos… If customers don’t make the effort to visit, it could seriously damage my business.”
He further highlighted the challenges of these roadworks coinciding with rising National Insurance contributions, increased minimum wage, and soaring energy bills. Parker emphasized, “These costs will remain constant regardless of our sales volume. A decline in business will severely impact our viability and place immense pressure on us.”
The second phase of the project is slated to commence in mid-June and will involve additional closures on Silk Mills Road until the work is completed. This phase will replace the aging metal gas mains with more durable plastic pipes, which are better equipped to transport greener gas.
This initiative is part of a broader, multi-million-pound, 30-year investment program for gas pipe upgrades across Wales and the South West of England, amounting to approximately £357,000.
In related news, the prolonged closure of London’s Hammersmith Bridge, which has been shut for six years, poses further challenges to local communities and businesses. The bridge’s closure has resulted in increased congestion, longer travel times, and significant financial losses for the area.
A proposal to demolish the bridge and construct a new crossing was submitted by the Department for Transport (DfT) due to the structure’s deteriorating condition. However, this proposal was ultimately rejected. As it stands, Putney MP Fleur Anderson has estimated that a full repair program, if approved, could take until 2035 to complete.