National Grid and South Staffs Water are due to begin a coordinated scheme of work in Tamworth that will see gas pipes and water mains replaced in order to improve services to customers.

On Tuesday 8 May, National Grid engineers will start work to replace the old gas mains in Perrycroft Crescent. Over the next four months work will move into Comberford Road, Ashby Road and Coton Lane. In July South Staffs Water will begin works at Upper Gungate, including Salters Lane.

During the scheme the old metal gas and water mains will be replaced by new hard-wearing plastic pipes, which will help to make sure residents in the area continue to receive safe and reliable gas and water supplies.

The joint project will allow the two companies to share traffic management, keeping disruption for motorists to a minimum. This will include three-way temporary traffic lights at the junction of Ashby Road and Perrycrofts Crescent, which will remain in place for most of the project. The work has been timed to coincide with the summer term and school holidays, in order to further reduce traffic disruption.

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National Grid project manager Brian Wilkins said: "This project is a major investment in the safety and reliability of Tamworth's gas supply and will be a short term inconvenience for a long term benefit. The new plastic pipe we are laying will last for up to 80 years and needs little or no maintenance.

"We appreciate that there is never a good time to close such a busy road, but we have worked very closely with South Staffs Water and Staffordshire County Council to coordinate our projects which will help to keep disruption to a minimum."

Network Director for South Staffs Water, Colin Wayper, added: "Our work is expected to take 12 weeks and has been brought forward to coincide with the work being carried out by National Grid.

"The replacement of our main was already in a four year programme of mains renewals, but in order to cause as little inconvenience to residents and motorists as possible, we will now be working alongside National Grid to complete this work which will improve our service to customers by securing water supplies and reducing leaks."

(CD)