Wales & West Utilities £8.9m gas pipe upgrade to bring roadworks to Swindon

Residents in Swindon were warned to expect more roadworks as an £8.9 million programme to upgrade the gas network got under way, Swindon24 reported on Thursday 14 May 2026.

Wales & West Utilities planned to replace more than 33 kilometres of gas pipes over the following 18 months in Swindon, Cricklade, Melksham, Chippenham and Warminster. Old metal pipes were to be swapped for plastic ones designed to last longer.

Which Swindon roads were affected?

The exact streets and start dates for Swindon had not been made public at the time of the report. Residents were expected to be given notice before work began in their area, and the company said it would work with local authorities on traffic management.

The announcement followed major gas works on Devizes Road in Old Town in the summer of 2025, which closed the road for around three months. That closure caused heavy congestion on nearby roads, traders reported fewer customers and residents faced long diversions.

What did the company say?

Mick Gallavin, who managed the programme for Wales & West Utilities, said: "We're investing in our gas network to ensure it remains safe, reliable and fit for the future".

He added: "We understand our work can cause disruption, but it is essential to maintain a resilient network".

The company said the new pipes would also prepare the network to carry greener gases. Updates were to be published at wwutilities.co.uk.

Source: Swindon24.