15/05/2026
UPDATE – Bickington Gas Works / Road Closures
I know there is a huge amount of concern locally regarding the upcoming Wales & West Utilities gas works and the impact these road closures could have on residents, businesses, emergency access and traffic across the wider area.
I am continuing to press both Wales & West Utilities and Devon County Council for answers on a number of significant issues that residents have raised with me. I was promised a response from Devon County Council by today and I am continuing to chase this.
I have now received detailed responses from Wales & West Utilities and do have some further challenges and follow-up questions for both them and, presumably, Devon County Council once their response is received.
I have also now been provided with the proposed public shuttle bus arrangements. However, I am extremely unhappy with aspects of the current plan, as some of the proposed pick-up points shown do not reflect what had previously been discussed with me during meetings. I have challenged this directly and requested further clarification and reconsideration.
Importantly, the major disruption phase of the works is not due to begin until 15 June, so there is still time to push for additional mitigation measures and clarification where needed.
One concern raised with me was the potential impact on patients travelling to medical appointments, particularly those attending North Devon District Hospital or local GP surgeries from affected areas. Following this, Ian Roome MP will now be writing to the Hospital and local surgeries asking that details of the works and likely travel disruption are included in appointment communications where possible, to help reduce missed or delayed appointments.
I am attaching a very useful map showing the phases and dates of the works, along with the link to the Wales & West Utilities information page. I would strongly encourage residents to use:
the official Wales & West Utilities updates page; https://www.wwutilities.co.uk/gas-pipe-upgrade-projects/bickington/
and my CllrFrank page,
as the primary sources of information as the scheme progresses.
Due to the very significant level of engagement and the large number of messages I am receiving on this issue, the only practical way for me to properly log, track and follow up individual concerns is for residents to email me directly at [email protected].
I would ask residents, where possible, to await further updates before sending additional questions, as many of the issues being raised are already covered within the detailed questions and challenges I have submitted to both Wales & West Utilities and Devon County Council. I do appreciate that many of you have already emailed me and are still awaiting a response. In many cases, this is because I am waiting for full answers from the relevant organisations so that I can provide residents with meaningful and accurate information, rather than partial responses.
For clarity, I am only able to formally respond to residents within my ward area, which for ease includes Cedars Roundabout towards Bickington, Roundswell, Yelland, Instow, Newton Tracey, Westleigh and as far as the Torridge Bridge.
The sections towards Barnstaple are represented by Councillor Caroline Leaver, who is also working closely with me on this issue and can be contacted at [email protected].
Part of the affected area around the Crematorium also falls within the Landkey & Chulmleigh division, represented by Councillor Ed Tyldesley.
“Alongside this, myself, Councillors Mackie, Cann, Walker, Coombs, Topps, Knight and Leaver, together with Ian Roome MP, are also looking at what practical support may be possible for some of our more vulnerable residents during the disruption period, including assistance with prescriptions, shopping, transport and lifts where required. We recognise that these works will disproportionately affect some residents more than others, particularly older people, those with disabilities, carers and residents without access to private transport.”
One point I have raised strongly is the need to support local businesses throughout the disruption period. All businesses are expected to remain OPEN throughout the works, and I have specifically asked that clear signage is used to make this visible and understood by the wider public.
I will continue pushing for answers, clearer communication, and practical mitigation measures as this develops.
