Free parking during major gas works in Wem
Shropshire Council and Wales & West Utilities are pleased to announce that parking in the Shropshire Council owned car parks known as High Street Car Park and Leek Street Car Park in Wem will be free of charge throughout the duration of the gas works due to start on Monday 3 February and due for completion on Sunday 30th March. Mill Street Car Park will be Pay and Display as normal as it is not directly impacted by the works.
The works are scheduled to last approximately eight weeks and will be carrying out required renewal works to the gas mains on Wem High Street. Over the eight weeks, over 450 metres of new plastic gas pipe – with a lifespan of more than 80 years – will be installed and approximately 50 service connections.
Signs and Notices will be erected notifying the free parking and this will be for the duration of the proposed works in the relevant car parks. A pay and display ticket will not be required to be purchased or displayed in the vehicle. Season ticket and Resident Permits will still be required for display as per normal procedures.
Claire Wild, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:
“We’ve come together with Wales & West Utilities to work out how to minimise any disruption the works cause and have agreed to offer free parking for their duration to ease concerns of local residents and businesses.”
Chris Mellings, Shropshire Council member for Wem, also welcomed the news and said:
“Having lobbied both the Council and Wales & West Utilities – this is great news for Wem! The work obviously needs to be carried out but free parking will bring a much needed boost.
“Over the next eight weeks Wem is very much open for business and I would encourage people to continue supporting our local businesses and facilities during this period!”
Wales & West Utilities manager for the scheme, Peter Hughes, said:
“We know that working in communities is disruptive for local people and visitors and we have done our best to plan a gas mains replacement scheme for Wem that will limit this inconvenience as much as possible. For local traders, it will be business as usual whilst we are on site and we will put up signs to clearly show this.
“To keep road users, pedestrians and our workforce safe whilst we work, it will be necessary to have phased road closures in place on High Street, Market Street, Leek Street and New Street. In addition, we will introduce temporary parking restrictions on streets as our work progresses. We have been working closely with Shropshire Council in planning this scheme and have agreed alternative free parking arrangements with them. The work is being carried out on behalf of Wales & West Utilities by our contract partner Morrison Utility Services and people can always approach the team on site with any queries or alternatively ring our customer service team on 02920 270653.”
The works will require several roads to be closed over the course of the eight weeks. High Street, Market Street, Crown Street, New Street, Noble Street, Leek Street, Chapel Street and Drawwell Lane will all be subject to road closures. Information on diversions can be found via here under reference number 372.