Urmston: major gas pipe upgrade in Flixton Road over the school summer holidays

• Essential work in Urmston will help keep residents connected to safe and reliable gas supplies for heating and cooking.
• Old pipe out, cleaner future in – modernising this 100-year-old pipeline will reduce emissions and support greener energy.
• Timed for school holidays – scheduled to minimise disruption for families and commuters.

Essential work to replace ageing gas pipes in Flixton Road, Urmston, begins on Wednesday (23 July) as part of a major upgrade of the local gas network.

The latest phase of the project involves replacing a large, 36-inch diameter metallic pipe – originally installed in 1925 – with tough new polyethylene plastic pipes that will last for decades and support a greener, more resilient gas network.

The upgrade must happen now as the existing pipe has reached the end of its safe operational life, with an increasing need for disruptive maintenance.

Cadent, which manages the region’s gas distribution network, has committed £75million this year to upgrade 385km of its oldest gas pipes in the North West.

This will future-proof a gas network relied on by millions of homes, schools, hospitals, offices and other buildings for heat and hot water.

These pipes also carry energy to many power generation sites, as well as factories and industry.

An overview of the Flixton project

For the past few months, engineers have been working in housing estates just off Flixton Road. Now the teams have reached a point where work must take place on a section of pipeline that runs in the main road itself.

From 23 July, they will first work from the junction of Alderley Road to the gated entrance to the playing fields. They then move to the junction with Ambleside Road, and work towards the entrance to Flixton House until around the end of August.

In total, including the work already completed in the housing estate, 1,600 metres of pipe will be upgraded. Many sections are deep underground.

To facilitate this latest phase of work, Urmston Road needs to be closed, with a diversion route signposted. The timing has been deliberately planned to coincide with the school summer holidays, to minimise disruption.

Lucy Sterry, Head of Work Management (North West) at Cadent, said: “We have a responsibility to make sure that every property that uses gas has access to it 24/7, 365 days a year. This upgrade is a vital part of keeping that promise.

We’ve worked closely with local authorities and highways teams to plan this work carefully and minimise disruption. By scheduling this phase to the school holidays, we hope to reduce the impact on the community.

These upgrades also have big environmental gains, as they reduce methane emissions and enable a move to more renewable gases like biomethane. This is essential for a cleaner future – the UK will need energy to come from a range of sources to meet demand and be sustainable.

We appreciate everyone’s patience while our engineers carry out this important work safely and efficiently.

Customer liaison officers have visited local residents, businesses and other sites locally, to keep them informed about the work. Letters have been distributed and advanced warning signs have been on-site to forewarn of the road closure.

Once the summer holiday work on Flixton Road is complete, engineers will move to the edge of the playing fields off Flixton Road to finish the project. This final stage – starting around early September – will have no impact on traffic.

If you smell gas, always ring the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999*, day or night. Do not assume it is related to this work – it may not be and needs to be checked.