MORE than £1.2 million is being invested in the coming 12 months to upgrade gas pipes in the Watchet and Williton areas, with some traffic disruption unavoidable.

Wales and West Utilities said it was helping to ensure a safe and reliable supply for about 700 customers for decades to come.

The intensive programme of mains replacement work will see nearly four miles of gas pipes upgraded across the area.

It said the company’s gas emergency and pipeline service would work closely with Somerset Council to plan projects and manage any necessary traffic measures.

Wales and West Utilities project manager Roxanne Whittaker said: “We are investing in our gas network to ensure it remains safe, reliable, and fit for the future for the customers we serve across the Watchet and Williton areas.

“We will continue to work closely with the local authority, and commit to keep communities informed as projects are planned and delivered.

“We understand our work can cause disruption, but it is essential to maintain a resilient network that people rely on every day.

“While much of the gas network is out of sight, it plays a vital role in daily life, from heating homes to cooking meals, and we know how important it is that gas is there when people need it.

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

Wales and West Utilities delivers energy to more than 7.5 million people across Wales and the Westcountry.

The company does not sell gas, but transports it through an extensive underground network of nearly 22,000 miles of pipes.

More information about the work going on in West Somerset is available online, with a site dedicated also to explaining what people can expect from particular projects as they start.