- Work starts on 28 August to replace a 100-metre stretch of gas main under High Street, Whitchurch
- Businesses and councils have been consulted and timing of the project selected by them as least disruptive option
- New gas mains will keep gas flowing to local homes and businesses until the end of the century
Work will get under way on Tuesday (28 August) to upgrade an essential gas pipe that sits within High Street in Whitchurch town centre.
The main, which serves hundreds of properties locally, needs to be replaced as part of the UK-wide scheme to guarantee a safe and reliable supply.
Businesses operating on High Street and local councils have been consulted and agreed the timing as the least disruptive option.
The road must be closed to vehicles to ensure safe passage for pedestrians and members of the public.
High Street – and all businesses – will remain
open to pedestrians throughout the scheme.
This main has been identified for urgent replacement as part of a programme to upgrade existing metallic gas mains across the UK.
Last year alone, local gas distribution network Cadent invested £65m to improve 370km of mains pipes across the West Midlands.
Like all metallic gas pipes, the High Street main will be replaced with a tough, durable plastic pipe that will ensure a safe and reliable supply until the end of the century.
Planners have worked with local businesses to ensure deliveries of goods can be made throughout. The road will be closed at the junction with Green End. Diversions routes will be signed. A small stretch of Pepper Street (20 metres) is also affected.
Steve Murray, who heads Cadent’s gas mains replacement programme in the West Midlands, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the understanding and support we’ve received locally while we’ve planned this work to date.
“This is essential work, part of a nationwide programme, to ensure we can safely distribute gas to homes in the local area, for heating and cooking.
“Our pipes are often situated under roads, so it’s inevitable we will cause disruption when we carry out work like this.
“We’ve worked closely with businesses and councils in Whitchurch to draw up a work plan to minimise this as much as possible.
“We will have teams booked and ready to move quick to reinstate the road surface and walkways as soon as the pipe replacement work finishes.”
A technique is being used that will keep gas flowing throughout the work.
Some service pipes – the smaller pipe which takes gas from the main to each property – are also being replaced. This will mean a temporary disruption to each property’s supply as the new connection is made. Advance notice will be given and supplies will be back on the same day they go off.
If you have any enquiries about this work, please contact the customer team for this job on
0161 703 1000.