Cadent engineers will begin urgent repair work next week on a gas main beneath one of the busiest road junctions in Stockport - where Kingsway (A34) meets Gatley Road (A560) in Cheadle.
Following two nights of overnight investigations this week, a leak has been identified on a gas pipe running directly beneath the junction. This is close to the pedestrian island where people wait to cross.
While everything is under control, with temporary measures taken to ensure safety, a repair must take place soon to prevent deterioration.
From Monday evening (after 8pm), two lanes of the southbound A34 carriageway will be closed at this junction. One lane will remain open, allowing vehicles to go straight ahead or turn left, but no right turns will be possible.
Traffic will filter from three lanes into one, which is expected to cause congestion, especially during peak times.
To prevent traffic backing up onto the nearby M60 – which is only 300 metres from this junction (J3) - the southbound entry from the motorway will be closed.
Motorists will instead take Junction 4, to follow a diversion route.
Traffic wishing to use the northbound slip road onto junction 3 – the exit northbound, off Kingsway, onto the M60 westbound – will also be diverted.
If you are using the A560 Gatley Road, in both directions, you will only be able to turn left at this junction with A34 Kingsway (no through-traffic, nor right turns).
Stockport Council, National Highways and Manchester City Council have been consulted on these plans.
The site remains under regular monitoring by Cadent until then, with teams ready to move in without notice should anything deteriorate in the meantime.
Paula Steer, Network Director for Cadent in the North West, said:
“This is a very complex and challenging location for a repair, and we understand the disruption this will cause.
“Starting on Monday evening, our teams will be working on shifts, night and day, to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible.
“We won’t know exactly how long the work will take until we’ve dug down and assessed the pipe. But I want to reassure everyone that we’ve already taken steps to ensure the situation is under control, and gas continues to flow safely to local homes and businesses.
We’re sorry for the inconvenience this causes. I am sure people appreciate that safety has to be our top priority, both of the public and for our teams working on site.
Cadent manages the underground gas network that heats homes, schools, hospitals and businesses across the region. It also provides the area’s 24/7 gas emergency service.
If you smell gas, do not assume it’s related to this work. It may not be and needs to be checked. Act immediately and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. All calls are recorded and may be monitored.
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*
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