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A multi-million pound project is due to begin this month to address an issue with a pipeline that provides essential gas to tens of thousands of homes in Cumbria, ensuring warmth during the winter months.
Cadent, the gas distribution network, will install 850 metres of new pipeline in fields next to Ulverston Canal and bore a new tunnel beneath the waterway. This will enable the continued safe delivery of gas to homes, hospitals, schools and other facilities locally, and as far as Barrow-in-Furness.
Once the new pipeline is operational, the existing pipeline – currently located beneath the canal footpath, which is showing signs of deterioration – will be decommissioned. This ensures there will be no disruption to gas supply during the project, allowing Cadent to maintain a long-term, safe supply to the local area.
Cadent has collaborated with numerous agencies and local landowners over several years to determine the best approach for this project. This includes careful consideration of local ecology and wildlife, such as bats, birds, and otters, to minimise environmental impact.
The project is scheduled to start on Monday 24 March, and will continue through most of 2025. Access to the work site has been arran ed with local landowners, ensuring no impact on local roads. The footpath will remain open, with only brief closures (often no more than a few minutes) for equipment delivery.
Paula Steer, Network Director for Cadent in the North West, said: “We have been planning this crucial work for a long time, and I want to thank everyone involved in getting us to the point where work can now commence.
“This essential work will mitigate the risk associated with the deteriorating condition of the current pipeline’s location, ensuring every customer in the local area continues to receive a reliable and safe gas supply for years to come.
“Around 80 percent of homes in this area rely on gas central heating, and we also supply gas to schools, hospitals, and other facilities.
“I am pleased that we have developed a plan that keeps the footpath open. As the project progresses, we will invite local schools and other visitors to observe this major engineering feat up close. Hopefully we can inspire some future engineers!”
Updates will be posted at cadentgas.com/ulverston.
Cadent manages 21,000 miles of gas distribution pipes in North West England, ensuring a safe gas supply 24/7, 365 days a year, for 2.7 million customers. This gas is used to heat homes and other buildings, power industry, fuel HGVs, and generate electricity in many areas, helping to keep the lights on.
Although we will do most of the work on this project in 2025, there will be some pre-construction work completed this summer. This will be drainage works, mainly, as well as installing some new fences, in fields where we will be working next year.
Why now? Well, part of the work we’ll do this year involves the removal of 40-metres of hedgerow and we have a window of opportunity to do that now, outside of the nesting season. Once we have completed the project, we will reinstate the hedgerow.
There should be no impact on members of the public during this phase – the footpath beside the canal stays open, for example, so please continue to use this lovely local amenity. This work will start 12th August and last for around 4 to 6 weeks.
Cadent manages the local network of underground pipes that carry gas to homes, schools, hospitals, offices, and other buildings, where it is used for heating, hot water and cooking. There are 21,000 miles of distribution pipes under North West England, and this includes a section of pipeline that runs alongside Ulverston Canal.
This Whassett to Barrow High Pressure Gas Pipeline is a key pipeline, relied on by tens of thousands of homes – from Ulverston to Barrow in Furness – for warmth in the colder months of the year. Around 80 per cent of homes in this area have gas central heating.
Assessments of the pipe in recent years has identified a need to move it away from its current location, which is within the towpath adjacent to Ulverston Canal.
In 2025, we will be installing a new 850-metre section of pipeline in parallel with the existing pipeline, but outside of the immediate embankment area. Once this new pipeline is operational, the existing pipeline will be decommissioned. This means there will be no impact on gas supply while the work takes place, and Cadent can be confident of ensuring a long-term safe supply of gas to the local area.
Our teams have been planning this work for some time, consulting with many agencies to consider a range of subjects from local ecology to availability of land.
On 25 July 2023, Cadent made a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to ensure it can acquire all of the land and rights required for the project. We have positively engaged with all landowners and continue to do so. The CPO enables Cadent to have certainty that it can deliver the project within the timescales needed to protect supply.
All the relevant documents relating to the CPO were published on this page in July 2023 (see 'CPO' tab below) and advertised. Objections had to be submitted by 31 August 2023. The CPO was confirmed in June 2024 by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero. Preliminary works on the project will take place for around 4 to 6 weeks, starting 12 August, with the main works starting in 2025.
On 25 July 2023, Cadent Gas Limited (“Cadent”) made The Cadent Gas Limited (Whassett to Barrow High Pressure Gas Pipeline Diversion) Compulsory Purchase Order 2023 (the “CPO”) to enable it to compulsorily acquire the new rights in land required for the construction, operation and maintenance of an 850-metre diversion of the 300NB Whassett to Barrow High Pressure (HP) Gas Pipeline located within the embankment / towpath adjacent to the canal on the east side of Ulverston in Cumbria (the “Project”). The Project comprises the installation of 850 metres of steel pipe and other associated development.
The CPO followed a series of negotiations where Cadent tried to reach voluntary agreements to ensure that the Project can be delivered to maintain and secure the gas network and continue supply to parts of Ulverston and the town of Barrow in Furness as well as gas supply in the long term.
A copy of the notice confirming the making of the CPO was served on all those with an interest in the land included in the CPO and was published in a local newspaper.
A copy can be viewed here:
A copy of the CPO, the Maps which show the land included in the CPO, and the Statement of Reasons which explains why the CPO has been made, and the documents referred to in it, are available to view and download below.
The CPO has been submitted to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero for confirmation. Objections were made to the CPO and a public inquiry was due to commence on Tuesday 13 February 2024. The objections were withdrawn and a public inquiry was not required. The CPO was confirmed in June 2024 by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.
All the relevant documents relating to the CPO are published on this page.
Further detail on the compulsory purchase process can be found in the
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Guidance on Compulsory Purchase Process and The Crichel Down Rules (July 2019)
On 27 August 2024, Cadent executed a general vesting declaration (“GVD”) in order to vest the land rights that it was authorised to compulsorily acquire by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero pursuant to The Cadent Gas Limited (Whassett to Barrow High Pressure Gas Pipeline Diversion) Compulsory Purchase Order 2023. Cadent has served the notices required on the relevant parties on 3 September and the land rights will vest in Cadent on the vesting date.
General-Vesting-Declaration-dated-27-August-2024(698051523-1)
