THIRTEEN weeks of roadworks are set to start in Wellington as the town sees an £85,000 gas pipe scheme start. 

Wales and West Utilities will start the works in the town on January 2 and it is predicted to take 13 weeks. 

Old metal pipes between the junction of High Street and Priory to outside Lancer Court shops will be replaced by new plastic ones. 

Wales and West Utilities says the work will keep gas flowing to homes and business for "years to come". 

The company has worked with Somerset County Council to plan the work. Manually operated traffic lights will be in place while the work is ongoing. 

Wales & West Utilities programme controller, Barry Sale, explained that the company appreciates work on this type of road is "not ideal". 

He said: “We know that working on roads like these 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 gas 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.

“We’re very aware of the effect that our work can have on communities and commuters and want to ensure everyone that we are working closely with Somerset County Council to get this essential work done as quickly as possible, while causing the least inconvenience to local people.”

All shops will be open while the work takes place.