Major gas mains work has begun in the street and surrounding area where a house explosion took place in Swansea last week. Wales and West Utilities have begun to replace gas pipes in the Clydach Road and Field Close area of Morriston.
A man was killed and other people were injured in the "major incident" in Swansea on Monday, March 12. Sadly 68-year-old Brian Davies was found dead at the scene.
Postman Jonathan Roberts was driving his van in the area at the time and was caught up in the explosion. He said: "How I walked away from that I don't know." Claire Bennett and her son Ethan were rescued from the wreckage of their house together with their puppy and cat Fern while their cat Teddy was missing for several days following the explosion before she was found.
Read more: Hero first on scene of Swansea explosion speaks of dramatic rescue
The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. Investigation work has been ongoing at the site since the explosion and work to replace metal gas mains with new plastic alternatives is taking place on Wednesday. The work is part of a wider 30-year programme to replace the gas mains but has been brought forward to provide additional reassurance of the reliability of gas supply in the area following the incident in Clydach Road.
The gas board are doing the work now because significant damage was caused to the road and the gas network following the incident and the investigation work so staff said it makes sense to bring it forward to decrease further disruption for local people. The work is expected to be complete in eight weeks.
Wales & West Utilities' Adam Smith is managing the work and he said: “As the gas emergency service we have been working with the emergency services and others to keep the area safe whilst investigations to determine the cause continue. Since the incident in the Morriston area last week we have been carrying out comprehensive and extensive checks to rule out any damage to our network as a result of the explosion and our teams remain on site to monitor everything closely. The incident and recovery work has caused significant damage to the road surface at the junction of Field Close and Clydach Road and so it makes sense that we complete our planned work now rather than disrupt the local community again at a later date. We understand how much the local community has gone through and it’s important that disruption is also kept to a minimum. We expect the work to be completed in eight weeks.”
Wales & West Utilities is working alongside Swansea Council and the highways team to coordinate work. Mr Smith added: “We have a team on the ground to support the local community and we will be visiting residents in the area to keep everyone fully informed about the work. This will also give residents the opportunity to raise any questions they may have about the work and how it affects them."
Residents affected by the explosion will also be able to access support from Morriston Library from Wednesday after Swansea Council set up a community support point. It will be available six days a week and staff from various council departments and a range of specialist service providers will be on hand to offer support, advice, and information to residents.
Council leader Rob Stewart said: ‘We recognise the impact the incident has had on the community of Morriston, especially those residents directly affected by the gas explosion. We want to ensure everyone has the support they need to help with the process of recovery. That’s why the council, along with the SCVS, members of the community, and other partners have been providing support at the Memorial Hall and the Dingle. Now any local residents who are concerned or affected by this incident can drop by the community support point at the library for a chat and to discuss what we can do to help.”
The community support point can offer advice and guidance on various subjects about where to seek financial support as well as wellbeing support and any other services that may help individuals and families affected. More than £10,000 has been raised for those affected by the explosion and payments from the appeal are expected to be paid out in the next few days to households who have been identified as most affected. Further discretionary payments are being made in the next few weeks. You can make a donation here.
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