A project to upgrade ageing gas main pipelines in Maldon, Essex, will get underway next week.
The planned activity will involve the decommissioning of the current metallic gas pipes underneath Wantz Road – which measure 670 metres and were originally installed over 80 years ago - and installing tough new pipes which will last for decades, future proofing the local network.
The project is part of a £91m investment this year, which will see more than 300km of pipes upgraded in the East of England.
Engineers from Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network, will be working along Wantz Road from the junction with Cross Road up to the junction with the High Street.
Following consultation with Essex County Council, Cadent has agreed to carry out this essential work over a 13-week period from Monday 20 October and Friday 30 January 2026. However, there will be a two-week break over Christmas and New Year with the site being cleared during this period.
Due to the location of the gas main, a mixture of road closures and traffic management will be required for the duration of each phase of the works. An agreed diversion route being put in place and access will be made available to residents throughout the works.
Cadent Project Manager, Gary Tidman, said: This part of the network has done an outstanding job for a very long time, but it is now time for replacement work to take place so that we can continue to deliver gas to peoples' homes 24/7, 365 days a year.
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 have worked with the local highways team, as well as local authorities to try our best to ensure that we minimise disruption, whilst we carry out these essential works.
I thank everybody for their patience as we take the measures needed to ensure our engineers can carry out these works as safely and as efficiently as possible.
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.
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.
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.
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