WORK to upgrade the gas network in Bovey Tracey is due to start within days. 

Wales & West Utilities has announced its plans which will mean the closure of several roads, some for two months.

The upgrade work is necessary to ensure gas flows safely, reliably and freely to homes and businesses in the town. 

The gas emergency and pipeline service has liaised with Devon County Council to plan the work which will begin in the Station Road area on August 19.

It is hoped, barring engineering difficulties, it will finish in October. 

Traffic management will be in place as the works progress including a road closure on Station Road, between the junctions of Brook Close and Monks Way and from Lowerdown Pottery to the fire station between August 19 and October 4. 

Multi-way lights will be in place on the junction of Monks Way, Station Road and the road from Lowerdown Pottery to fire station between August 27 and September 9.

The work will be going on during the Bovey Festival. 

Wales & West says it has worked closely with organisers and will ensure access to car parks will be available. 

During the festival, free car parking will be available for visitors in the town centre, in Mill Marsh Park, via St John’s Lane. 

Access will also be maintained to the car park from Monks Way, and from the car park to the festival by pavement and through Mill Marsh Park itself.

Wales & West Utilities Roxanne Whittaker, who is managing the work, said: ‘We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it really is essential to make sure we keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future. 

‘We’ll have a team of engineers on site throughout the project to make sure our work is completed as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum.

‘This work is essential to keep gas flowing today, and to make sure the network is ready to transport hydrogen and biomethane, so we can all play our part in a green future.’