Roadworks upheaval delayed for Christmas
PLANS to carry out gas pipe work in one of Cardiff’s busiest suburbs have been changed to help businesses out over the Christmas period.
Traders in Whitchurch had been concerned that work to upgrade the gas network on Merthyr Road, one of the main routes into the village, would affect December trade.
The work is due to start this week and take around five months to complete.
Local MP Anna McMorrin had also raised the issue with Wales & West Utilities, who are carrying out the essential work.
Now, the company has said that they have listened to local concerns, revised the work and won’t work on the main road until January.
The company’s programme controller for Cardiff, Adam Smith said: “We will be working in the Merthyr Road area of Whitchurch to upgrade the gas network.
“This £725,000 investment is essential to keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future.
“Our work will start this week and barring any unforeseen circumstances will be completed by March 2020.
“After feedback from the local community, we have re-planned our work to keep disruption to local people and local businesses to a minimum. Between now and Christmas, we will be working on residential streets in the area, and work on The Philog and Merthyr Road will be rescheduled after Christmas.
“We know working on roads like these is not ideal, but this work really is essential to keep the gas flowing to heat homes and power businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future and can play its part in delivering reliable and affordable green energy.”
George Lazarou, who has run a hairdressers and barbers on the main street for 37 years, had said he was “very concerned” about the work taking place around the Christmas period.
It is the second year in a row after work to install a new pedestrian crossing on Merthyr Road.
Anna McMorrin had called for compensation to be paid to local businesses to mitigate any financial loss caused by the disruption due to the gas pipeline works.
In February 2018, similar pipeline works were carried out in Rhiwbina, causing many shops to close for a few days.
Anyone with questions about the work is asked to contact 0800 912 2999.