Shrewsbury town centre gas work due to be completed on time

The project, being carried out by National Grid, has seen gas mains replacements in Fish Street, Butcher Row, Church Street and St Alkmund's Place.

This week contractors started working in Church Street after completing work in Fish Street and St Alkmund's Place, which were closed at the time. The work has seen old metal pipes in the Pride Hill area taken out and a new main pipe made from hard-wearing plastic put in.

Jane Taylor, spokeswoman for National Grid, said: "We are on track for mid-November at the moment," she said. "We've been getting on with it as per timetable and there have been no major changes as yet."

"We have moved in at Church Street and expect to be there until the middle of next week at which point the work will move on to Butcher Row for a couple of weeks.

"The current traffic management is expected to remain in place."

Last weekend it was reported that traffic will be able to use Pride Hill to reach the town's main one-way system.

However, not all traffic is being diverted along Pride Hill.

She said: "Each evening we try to clear St Alkmund's Place so delivery vehicles and hotel guests can drive along there.

"If we're not able to clear the road, those vehicles are using Pride Hill."

The works started last month and are expected to finish next month.

According to Ms Taylor the completion date is still on target for November.

"We are on track for mid-November at the moment," she said. "We've been getting on with it as per timetable and there have been no major changes as yet, so if it stays that way we will certainly be on track," she said.

Last month the works came under fire from businesses in Fish Street for making the historic street look like a "building site" and putting shoppers off.

For further information customers can call the National Grid customer helpline on: (0114) 232 8095 or visit: www.nationalgrid.com/inyourstreet for updates on the firm's work in the area.