A STREET in Taunton town centre will close overnight next week as part of works to upgrade the gas network.

Wales & West Utilities confirmed Bridge Street will close at 7pm on Wednesday, November 22, and re-open at 6am on Thursday, November 23.

The company added that the closure is part of works carried out recently in the East Reach area to upgrade the gas network.

Roxanne Whittaker, Wales & West Utilities programme controller for Devon, said: “We have been working in the East Reach area of Taunton to upgrade the gas network.

“This upgrade 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.

“We’ve worked closely with Somerset Council to plan these works and to keep the local community, road users, and our colleagues safe while we worked, phased road closure and traffic management were put in place.

“This was a complex job, but we have now completed our work on schedule. We will now need to fill in any holes that we have dug and reinstate the road.

“In order to cause as little disruption as possible and to give the new road surface time to set, we will close Bridge Street overnight on Wednesday, November 22, and reopen it the next morning. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

“We would like to thank local people for their patience and apologise for any disruption our works cause.

“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 ready to transport hydrogen and biomethane, so we can all play our part in a green future.”