- Gas mains renewal work along footpath expected to take six months
- Old metal mains to be replaced with modern plastic pipe
- Work will ensure a safe and reliable gas supply for the future
National Grid is replacing a worn-out section of gas pipe running along the Old Railway Track footpath between Oakamoor and Alton. So that work can be carried out safely and in the shortest possible time, a short section of the footpath will be closed and the walkers diverted.
This essential work to replace nearly four kilometres of gas main is expected to last for six months. During the work, walkers will be diverted off the footpath and across a bridge over the works. The Ramblers Retreat tearoom in Alton will remain open as usual.
The old metal main has now reached the end of its working life and needs to be renewed. It will be replaced with new hard-wearing plastic pipe which, once in the ground will last for several generations and will need little or no maintenance meaning any future disruption will be greatly reduced.
Steve Murray, National Grid’s head of network said: “Most of our gas mains run under roads and we have occasionally have to divert motorists so we can carry out our work. We very rarely have to divert walkers! There is never a good time to carry out work in areas as popular as this but I ask the walkers and visitors to bear with us while we carry out this essential work which is needed to make sure the local gas supply remains safe and reliable for many years to come.”
During the work, further information can be found by calling the customer helpline on 0114 232 8095. To find out more about how National Grid replaces gas mains and how that 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.