Burnley: essential works to repair gas pipe under Royle Road

Update on gas pipe repair work - Royle Road, Burnley (06 Nov)

The team working on an essential repair to a key gas distribution pipe in Burnley issued the following update today (06 Nov).

Engineers have now completed the complex repair of a key gas distribution pipe in Burnley - one that helps keep thousands of local homes warm.

Cadent traced the source of a smell of gas to a pipe that runs under a busy road junction in the town, where Royle Road meets the Active Way roundabout.

Teams began the essential work to repair the pipe on 18 October.

To access the pipe has required Cadent to dig two of its deepest excavations in the town in recent years - up to three metres deep and five metres wide.

Specialist engineers were brought in to complete the repair with the pipe staying 'live' - which means gas stayed on, so there was no interruption to supply of gas to local homes.

The repairs are now completed and extensive work to reinstate the road has begun.

Such is the size of the excavation, a 72-hour period is needed to allow the foam concrete to set, and then 24-hours for a layer of tarmac to do the same.

All being well, it is hoped the current lane closure on Royle Road can be removed during the weekend, if not sooner.

Nick Jerman, Head of Customer Operations, Cadent, said: "This has been a big challenge for us, with our first priority always being to keep everyone safe.

"We appreciate our work, while necessary, has led to traffic disruption in the local area, and I'd like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding."

*If you smell gas, here or anywhere, always act immediately and call the gas emergency service on 0800 111 999. Do not assume it is related to this work - it may not be and needs to be checked. All calls are recorded and may be monitored.

Update on gas pipe repair work (25 October 2024)

The team working on an essential repair to a key gas distribution pipe in Burnley issued the following update today (25 Oct).

Last weekend, Cadent teams began work to investigate the source of a smell of gas underneath Royle Road, near the Active Way roundabout.

After digging down to a pipe which runs underneath this junction, the nature of the repair work required became apparent - and would take longer than originally hoped.

Two large excavations were needed - each about five metres wide, and two metres deep. This required the closure of one lane of Royle Road (in the direction heading towards the Active Way roundabout), as well as impact on Active Way itself. The ongoing work has created congestion on the roads.

Due to the work completed this week, by this weekend, the impact on Active Way will be removed. The remaining work to finish the repair under Royle Road will continue into next week. If everything goes to plan, the engineers are hopeful to have the road reopened by the end of that week.

We appreciate this work - while essential to keeping everyone safe, and to keeping gas flowing to local homes and other buildings in the area - is disruptive, and thank everyone for their patience and understanding.

This updates relates to the following story posted below.

Monday 14 October

• Work will begin late on Friday 18th October, with a road closure (one-way).
• Cadent engineers have taken action to keep everyone safe
• There should be no interruption to gas supply, but traffic delays likely

Essential work is due to take place over the weekend 18th to 20th October, after the discovery of an issue with a gas pipe under Royle Road, in Burnley town centre.

A smell of gas has been traced to a distribution pipe that runs underneath Royle Road, at the junction where it meets the roundabout at the A679 (Active Way).

Cadent’s engineers have ensured everything is under control, but need to take further action to ensure there is no further deterioration, or risk to anyone’s safety.

The gas network has agreed with local authority highways teams to begin work after nearby Burnley College finishes for the day on 18th October.

From this point, there will be no access from Royle Road to the roundabout (Active Way). The lane heading in the direction of the college (and onwards to the M65 motorway) stays open. However, motorists should expect delays to their journeys.

Cadent’s teams will work through the weekend, digging a deep excavation, and then repairing the pipe. They will work on the pipe with gas ‘live’ (gas stays on).

Nick Jerman, Head of Customer Operations, Cadent, said: “Our teams have already taken action to keep everyone safe, and to keep gas flowing to the local area.

“We do need to investigate this fully and carry out a repair. This is a busy traffic area and there is really no quiet time to get this work done. We have tried hard – working with the local authority – to minimise the disruption as best we can.

“We have everything in place to work on this through the weekend [18th to 20th October] but must stress that completing everything will be a huge task and we cannot guarantee. We hope everyone understands our priority has to be safety.”

If you smell gas, nearby or anywhere, please do not assume it is related to this work, as it may not be and needs to be checked. Always act immediately and call the national gas emergency service on 0800 111 999, day or night. All calls are recorded and may be monitored.