THE first phase of essential work which will ensure the community of Penzance continues to receive a safe and reliable supply of gas has been completed on time.

The work, which is being carried out by Wales and West Utilities, has been taking place in Market Jew Street, near to the train station.

The work, to install brand new gas pipes, involved a road closure and diversion route which was essential to keep pedestrians, motorists and the Wales and West Utilities team safe while the work was taking place.

With the first phase now complete, the road has been reopened and the diversion route lifted so traffic movements in the area are returned to normal. The company has now moved on to start work on the second phase of the work which continues along Market Jew Street.

To keep pedestrians, motorists and the team safe, a road closure will be in place on Market Jew Street, from where it joins Adelaide Street.

As works progress, road closures will be in place along Market Place, The Greenmarket into Causeway Head, and along Alverton Street, to the junction with Alverton Road and Penalverne Drive. Providing everything goes to plan, this section will be complete by December 1.

Natalie Raphael, of Wales & West Utilities, is managing this work. She said: “We are making good progress with the project and are pleased that the first phase of the project has gone to plan, allowing us to open this busy part of the town.

“We understand that our work can cause disruption, especially where it involves a road closure and diversion route, and we would like to thank everyone in the area for bearing with us while we carried out the work.

“The second phase of the work will require road closures at the other end of the Market Jew Street, which we have agreed with the local highway authority. This, however, will not require any significant diversion route so should not have too much of an impact on local traffic.

“We would like to assure the local community that our team will do everything they can to complete this second phase of the work as quickly as they safely can. We would also like to thank the local community in advance for their cooperation while we work.”

To find out more about the pipe upgrade work, visit www.wwutilities.co.uk/services/gas-pipe-upgrades/pipe-upgrades/