No traffic allowed – not even emergency services – as 158m stretch closes for gas main replacement from 7 July

Drivers in Wells are being told to brace for gridlock as two key streets shut for more than a month this summer.

Southover and Becket Place will be completely closed to all traffic from Monday 7 July for 40 days, while engineers rip up the road to replace gas mains. The closure runs 24 hours a day until 15 August, and access will be blocked even for emergency vehicles.

The works are being carried out by Wales & West Utilities, and Somerset Council has slapped an official road closure order on the area under its emergency powers.

The shutdown covers the stretch of Southover between Silver Street and St John Street, plus all of Becket Place—a 158-metre chunk of the city centre that's expected to cause serious disruption.

There's no wiggle room on this one: if you usually travel through that area, you'll need a new plan. Diversion routes will be signposted, and more details can be found online at one.network.

A spokesperson said the work is essential and the closure is needed "because of the likelihood of danger to the public, or of serious damage to the road."

For more on the gas works, contact Wales & West Utilities on 0800 912 2999, quoting reference ttro836078E.

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So if you've got plans in the city centre this July or August—maybe give yourself a bit of extra time. Or pack a flask.