- Older metal gas mains are being replaced with tough modern plastic pipe
- The work will ensure a safe and reliable gas supply for the future
Because of unexpected engineering difficulties, National Grid will take longer than originally planned to complete gas mains replacement work on Bradley Lane in Bilston, West Midlands. Work will continue over the Christmas period, with the exception of 25 and 26 December and 1 January, and National Grid now expects it to be finished by 24 January 2017.
This essential work is being carried out because the older metal gas mains have reached the end of their working lives and need to be renewed. They will be replaced with new hard-wearing plastic pipe which, once in the ground, should last for many year and will need little or no maintenance. This means that future disruption from roadworks will be greatly reduced.
“We’re sorry that the work is taking longer than we expected, and we apologise for any inconvenience this will cause,” said Steve Murray, National Grid’s Head of Contract West. “Unfortunately, because the old mains were installed many years ago, it sometimes happens that the information we have about them is incomplete, and this can mean that the replacement work takes longer than expected.”
“That’s what happened in this case, but we’re doing everything we can to keep the extra period of disruption to a minimum. The end result will be worthwhile because the work we’re doing now will ensure that residents and traders in the area will continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply for cooking and heating for many years to come.”
During the work, further information can be found by calling the National Grid Customer Enquiry Team on 0161 703 1000/1010. To find out more about how National Grid replaces gas mains and how this affects residents and businesses go to www.bettergaspipes.co.uk.
Notes to editors - archive
National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world and was named Responsible Business of the Year 2014 by Business in the Community. This accolade acknowledges all of our efforts in getting involve with the things that really matter to us and to society. We own and manage the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source. In Britain and the north-eastern states of the US we run systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.
In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.
National Grid in the UK:
- We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
- We own and operate the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
- Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 10.9 million homes and businesses
- We also own a number of related businesses including LNG importation, land remediation and metering
- National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service free phone line on behalf of the industry - 0800 111 999 (all calls are recorded and may be monitored).
- Our portfolio of other businesses is mainly concerned with infrastructure provision and related services where we can exploit our core skills and assets to create value. These businesses operate in areas such as Metering, Grain LNG Import, Interconnectors and Property. National Grid Carbon Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid. It undertakes Carbon Capture Storage related activities on behalf of National Grid.
Find out more about the energy challenge and how National Grid is helping find solutions to some of the challenges we face at www.nationalgridconnecting.com
National Grid undertakes no obligation to update any of the information contained in this release, which speaks only as at the date of this release, unless required by law or regulation.