Update 25 February 2025
B&NES Council (the Highways Authority) has provided a final update for the Wales and West Utilities (WWU) gas pipe works on the A4 at Corston.
SPC has been informed that for works requiring disruptive traffic management that a clear three days is required, which also needs to align with the gas regulations, with works needing to be completed by 31 March 2025.
As such B&NES Council has identified that the optimum window for the works as from 10:30am on Friday 7 March to Sunday 9 March. The works have been permitted, and information will show on One.Network in due course.
B&NES Council has shared that there will also be other works happening within the verge area but that these will be non-disruptive to traffic.
B&NES Council has also added that night-time resurfacing works on the A4 are planned to take place in late spring (c. May). Once SPC receives further communications with regards to these works, information will be shared on our website and via social media for residents’ awareness.
If residents have any queries about the gas pipe works, please contact Wales and West Utilities directly. On One.Network, Wales & West Utilities state: “We’re ready to take your call if you have any questions about our work. Call freephone 0800 912 2999, or contact us on Twitter @WWUtilities or Facebook.com/wwutilities. A journalist with questions about this work? Call our Press Office 0800 944 1000”.
Update 11 February 2025
Planned Wales and West Utilities roadworks will take place on the A4 Bristol (between the Globe Roundabout and the Corston Lane junction), from Friday 14 February until Sunday 23 February 2025.
Information is available on the One.Network website at https://one.network/?GB141567000
Two way temporary traffic lights will be in place, and residents are advised to expect delays.
SPC is grateful to B&NES Council’s Highways Team, who have shared that the upcoming works will recommence on the Corston section under two way lights which will be considerably less disruptive than the works seen in October under four way lights.
The temporary traffic lights will commence from 21.00 on Friday 14 Feb until the late evening of Sunday 23 Feb, which takes advantage of the reduced traffic during the school holiday (half term). B&NES Council has added that bus suspensions are not needed as part of the planned works, unlike as at previous WWU works near this location.
SPC has been informed by B&NES Council that depending on how works progress during 14-23 February that a further two weekends may be required in March to complete this section of the scheme.
SPC does not have any further information to the above, should residents have any queries these can be directed to Wales & West Utilities. Should WWU and/or B&NES Council provide further information, the Parish Council will look to share for resident awareness.
To maintain up to date information on planned roadworks, residents are advised to view One.Network, and select from the drop-down tab in the right-hand corner for the period of time they require information. Image below taken from One.Network.
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Update 7 January 2025: B&NES Council, the Highways Authority, has advised that Wales and West Utilities (WWU) roadworks will take place on the A4 Bristol Road at Corston (precise location TBC, general location is beyond The Globe Roundabout towards Saltford) which will include two way temporary lights. Expect delays. WWU will carry out Friday night and weekend working 17th – 20th January & 25th – 26th January, and then during the school half term period 14th – 23rd February 2025 to continue pipe renewal works.
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Update 30 September 2024: Some preliminary works will start in October on the verge near the Globe roundabout but will not cause disruption, this is preparation for the significant works due 25 Oct to 3 Nov 2024. WWU have shared as a courtesy to advise that they will be onsite this weekend – 5 & 6 October – to carry out preparatory work on the verge located by The Globe roundabout. No traffic management will be in place (e.g. no temporary traffic lights), as works will be carried out in the verge only.
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As residents will have experienced, Wales & West Utilities (WWU) have been carrying out significant roadworks on the A4 in or close to Saltford during 2024. SPC has aimed to keep residents informed about these works, and for more information please view SPC’s articles from earlier this year:
- Gas mains works at A4 Bath Road, Saltford – January to April 2024 (published January 2024, updated March 2024)
- Wales and West 2024 Roadworks on A4 Bath Road – Spring 2024 update (published April 2024)
- A4 Roadworks planned for Summer 2024: 24 July to 30 August (published June 2024)
Upcoming roadworks – 2024 and 2025
Wales & West Utilities have recently provided information to Saltford Parish Council and Saltford’s B&NES Ward Councillors that during the last set of works ending on 30 August (which took place near the Corston stretch of the A4), WWU were unable to complete all the works as originally planned owing to unforeseen engineering issues.
It has since been shared that three further sets of Wales & West Utilities roadworks are planned. These have again been timed to take place during the next three sets of school holiday periods to help minimise disruption.
Information from WWU about upcoming roadworks, with thanks to B&NES Ward Cllr Duncan Hounsell for sharing with SPC, is as follows:
- 25 October to 3 November 2024
- Work near the Globe roundabout which will require 4 way lights (manned at all times)
- To resume/continue trench work and complete a connection
Update from B&NES Council (the Highways Authority) in September 2024:
Works are a continuation of pipe replacement work carried in the school summer holidays. The next phase will start 21.00 on the evening of 25 October and will end 3 November making use of two weekends and the school half term.
The work area is in very close proximity to the Globe roundabout which means four way portable signals will be required with a signal head on each adjoining road: The A4 Bath Road, A4 Bristol Road dual carriageway, Pennyquick and A39 Wells Road.
Such an arrangement of Traffic Management at such a location will cause delays. From a Network perspective B&NES Council has stopped other impactful works not only in the area but to other major routes that may be used throughout this period.
Permanent variable messaging signage will be used, and Wales & West will also deploy two temporary variable message signs one week before works start, along with numerous information boards on the adjoining roads 2 weeks before works start. These will pre-warn drivers and provide information about expected delays during works.
‘Access only’ signs will also be placed at each end of Corston Lane whilst works are in progress and bus stops will remain operational.
B&NES Council will also spread awareness via its X account.
Some preliminary works will start in October on the verge near the Globe roundabout but will not cause disruption [see update at top of page].
- 27 December 2024 to 5 January 2025 – TO BE CONFIRMED – SPC AWAITS CONFIRMATION IF THESE ARE GOING AHEAD
- Work at Newton Bridge under 2 way lights
- Further trench work and complete a connection
Update Sept 2024: SPC has been made aware that confirmation of the December to January works are currently pending, following a review of other restrictions that may be required on the Highways network during the Christmas and New Year period. Once further information is received, SPC will share on this page.
- 14 February to 23 February 2025
- Work near roundabout (Globe Inn) and by Stothert & Pitt RFC (2 way lights to be used only by RFC)
- To completion final connections and abandon/decommission old metallic gas main
Roadworks on the A4
B&NES Council is the Highways Authority. In 2022 and 2023, SPC expressed concerns to B&NES Council about the number of roadworks on the A4 in or close to Saltford, including detailing the impact this had. Please see SPC’s article ‘SPC expresses concern to B&NES Council about consecutive weeks of roadworks on the A4 in Saltford‘.
SPC has been informed that B&NES Council has limited powers when it comes to refusing works; B&NES Council can set certain conditions and refuse applications for reasons such as clash of works or works to occur at certain times but if the road space is free, promotors have Statutory Powers as a road user to carry out works and they are also governed themselves by regulations.
SPC is not consulted on roadworks, but does aim to share information about significant roadworks if received from B&NES Council or a utilities company for awareness. SPC understands the impact of roadworks for those who live, work or visit the village.
If residents have any queries about the works listed please contact Wales & West Utilities (not SPC). SPC will look to share any information from WWU or B&NES Council (the Highways Authority) about the upcoming works if shared nearer the time.
WWU Works – Mead Lane
Information has also been shared with regards to Mead Lane, to upgrade the metallic gas main to new plastic PE pipe. WWU stated that they currently do not have a planned date for these works, as Wessex Water are currently developing their water recycling site at Mead Lane (project information available on Wessex Water’s website here) and following discussion with BANES Council’s StreetWorks team, the WWU works are on hold until Wessex Water’s development works have been completed.
WWU Works – A4 Bath Road (near shops) – 2026 onwards
WWU have shared that are further works to be undertaken in Saltford in 2026, on the A4 Bath Road along the main road (by the shops). WWU will look at undertaking these works from April 2026 onwards. SPC will share any updates on these works as and when received.
Contact Wales & West Utilities
On One.Network, Wales & West Utilities state: “We’re ready to take your call if you have any questions about our work. Call freephone 0800 912 2999, or contact us on Twitter @WWUtilities or Facebook.com/wwutilities. A journalist with questions about this work? Call our Press Office 0800 944 1000”.
One.Network
To keep aware of upcoming or existing roadworks, please use the One.Network website to plan journeys.
Other updates:
This page was updated on 18/09/24: Planned WWU gas mains works will take place on 21 & 22 September on A4 Bristol Road between Saltford and The Globe Roundabout. Temporary traffic lights will be in place, expect delays. Information on the One.Network website.