The decision to partially close a busy Burnham-On-Sea road on one of the busiest weekends of the year for roadworks has been defended.
Berrow Road is partially shut this weekend near the town’s high lighthouse, with traffic lights in operation, leading to queues of traffic heading in and out of Burnham to and from Brean.
But Simon Collins, a spokesperson for Wales & West Utilities, says the work cannot be avoided. “We are carrying out essential work on the gas network in the Berrow Road area in Burnham-On-Sea,” he told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“To make sure that road users, pedestrians and our work force are kept safe while we work, we are using temporary traffic lights. We agreed this with the local highway authority and it means that we can work while the road remains open and traffic continues to flow.”
“We began working on Thursday and will continue until the leak is fully repaired, working as quickly and safely as possible, with the minimal level of disruption.”
“While the smell of gas from leaks can be strong when the wind is blowing in certain directions, the pipe in question has been regularly monitored and does not pose any safety concerns. We programme repairs across our network making sure that pipes that are most in need of repair are given priority. It is now important that we repair this pipe.”
One motorist, James Gordon from Birmingham who is visiting Brean, contacted Burnham-On-Sea.com about the roadworks. “It’s crazy to have roadworks causing disruption on one of the busiest weekends of the school holidays. The changeover time for the holiday parks was incredibly busy on Friday morning with long queues.”
