Liverpool: essential work to repair leak on gas pipe

May 26 2017 in your area

Essential work to repair a leak on a gas pipe under a busy Liverpool city centre road junction starts on Tuesday (30 May).

The work will mean two of the three lanes on Leeds Street, turning right into Scotland Road, will be closed for a number of days.

Gas network Cadent has worked closely with the city council to time the work to cause least disruption, but apologises for the inevitable impact on motorists.

Traffic will be funnelled from three lanes down to one along Leeds Street, on the approach to the junction with Scotland Road.

Cadent found the source of the leak by carrying out remote investigations from a nearby grass verge. It held off doing the repair – which can only be done by digging in the road – until after the bank holiday weekend and during school half-term, with a view to all work being complete by the following Monday.

This is a junction regularly used by motorists turning right towards the city centre, or heading for the entrance to the Birkenhead Tunnel.

Colin Baker, area supervisor for Cadent, said: “This is a small leak on a 24-inch cast iron gas main, which sits right under one of the busiest road junctions in the city. There’s no immediate safety risk, but a leak like this has to be fixed to prevent it getting any worse.

“We’ve liaised closely with the council to make sure we’re doing this at a time when we’ll cause least disruption – but there will be disruption, and I can only apologise for that. We’ll complete the works as soon as we can.”

Cadent, formerly known as National Grid Gas Distribution, maintains, repairs and upgrades 131,000km of pipes across the North West, Midlands, the East of England and North London. It keeps energy flowing to nearly 11 million homes and businesses.

*If anyone smells gas during this work (or at any time), it is important they do not dismiss it as related to the ongoing work. Report it immediately to the national gas emergency line 0800 111 999 (calls to this number are recorded and may be monitored).

Cadent

Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy. We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change. Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency. Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing.

Future of Gas: Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.

Cadent manages the national gas emergency service free phone line on behalf of the gas industry - 0800 111 999*

Cadent Gas Ltd is owned by a consortium of global investors.

*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.