A SECTION of a Newton Abbot road will be under temporary traffic lights next month while gas pipes are upgraded.

Drivers in the town will face disruption from the beginning of February as Wales and West Utilities dig up part of Queen Street to replace the existing metal gas pipes with new plastic ones.

The section of Queen Street affected is between The Avenue and Newton Abbot Station.

The work is set to begin on February 3 and will last until the end of the month.

Queen Street will be under rolling traffic lights as Wales and West Utilies progress from The Avenue toward Oak Place.

Wales & West Utilities Programme Controller, Roxanne Whittaker, said: ‘In January we will be working in the Queen Street area of Newton Abbot to upgrade the gas network. This work is part of a wider project in the area and is essential to keep the gas flowing safely to heat and power local homes and businesses.

‘The work will involve digging up part of the road to replace the old metal gas pipes, with new long-lasting plastic ones that can transport greener gases like hydrogen and biomethane.

‘In agreement with Devon County Council, and to keep the local community, road users and our colleagues safe while we work, rolling traffic lights will be in place as we progress down Queen Street from its junction with The Avenue and Quay Road.

‘There will also be no right turn on The Avenue from February 3 until the end of February.

‘While we do our best to keep disruption to a minimum, we apologise for any inconvenience that this essential work might cause.

‘We’ll be working as safely and as quickly as we can, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, will be finished along Oak Place at the end of February, with the wider project across Newton Abbot completing in July.’

The section of Queen Street from the War Memorial toward Courtenay Street is not a part of the works.