TOWN councillors in Watchet are planning a ‘drop-in day’ next month to counter misinformation which has been circulating in the community about road closures needed for gas mains to be replaced.

Wales and West Utilities has started nine months of work which will continue through to January of next year.

The town council has listed a week by week guide on its website showing which roads will be closed and when.

Now, it is organising an information day on Monday, May 18, in Watchet Community Centre, in Doniford Road, for people to call in between 9.30 am and 5 pm.

Residents will be able to speak directly with representatives of the utility firm as well as First Bus and Somerset Council school transport officers.

A town council spokesperson said: “It has come to the council’s attention, that a great deal of misinformation regarding the Wales and West Utilities road works has been posted across Watchet social media feeds.

“The information is incorrect and incomplete.

“In the next few weeks, the council will start releasing regular updates of where and when works will be taking place.

“We are working with Wales and West Utilities to ensure the community will remain well-informed and that information we provide will be correct and reliable.”

Wales and West Utilities is investing more than £1.2 million in the town’s gas mains upgrade and accepted some traffic disruption would be ‘unavoidable’.

However, the company said the work would result in a safe and reliable gas supply for decades to come.

The programme will see nearly four miles of underground gas pipes upgraded across the Watchet area.

A company spokesperson said: “This investment will not only maintain today’s supply but also prepare the network to transport greener gases in the future.”