Neston, Wirral: upgrade for 1930s gas pipeline relied on by thousands for warmth in winter

• Details of essential project to upgrade gas pipeline under Hinderton Road
• Part of an £75m programme to upgrade ageing gas mains in the North West
• Road closure for three weeks, followed by two weeks of traffic lights

Essential work to upgrade one of the oldest sections of gas pipeline in the Wirral area begins on Monday 13 October.

Cadent, which manages the local gas distribution network, is calling time on an ageing section of pipeline which runs under Hinderton Road and Chester Road, Neston.

This pipe is an essential part of the network which carries gas to thousands of local homes – but there will be no disruption to the flow of gas to the area.

The project is part of a £75m investment by Cadent this year, which will see more than 385km of pipes upgraded in North West England, including 40km in Wirral.

More than 400 metres of pipeline will be upgraded during this work in Neston. Records show the original was installed in 1933.

Details of temporary traffic arrangements

Starting near the junction with the tunnel under the railway lines, the work heads along Hinderton Road in phases of around 100m each.

Due to the road being narrow at the start, the road will need to be closed for the first three weeks of work. Access will be maintained for residents, but there will be no through road for the three weeks. A signed diversion will be in place.

The final two weeks will have multi-way traffic lights.

This part of the network has served the area well for more than 90 years,said Lucy Sterry, Head of Work Management at Cadent (North West Network).

However, maintenance and repairs – and inevitable disruption this creates for the local community through roadworks – has got too frequent.

It’s time to call an end to that by replacing these old pipes and future-proofing the network for years to come.

We have a responsibility to make sure every property that uses gas has access to a safe and reliable supply, 24/7, 365 days a year.

We are very conscious of the disruption works like this cause and hope people can accept this project is essential to maintain a safe gas supply.

Does gas stay on?

Gas stays ON for the duration of work. The only interruption to supply will be to properties that take a direct feed from the pipes being replaced (in the immediate local area). Supply to these properties will be disconnected for a short while (it will be back on the same day it goes off), as the property gets connected into the new pipe. Advance notice will be given and more information will be provided to these properties.

Contacting Cadent about this project

Customers with questions about this work can contact the team by:

Phone: 0800 090 3071

Email: [email protected]

Online: https://cadentgas.com/contact-us/contact-form-nw

If you smell gas

If you smell gas during this work, nearby or anywhere, always ring the national gas emergency service immediately, day or night, on 0800 111 999*. Do not delay, or assume it is related to this work. It may not be and must be checked.

Cadent in the North West

Cadent employs around 1,200 people in the North West. It is responsible for maintaining and upgrading more than 21,000 miles of (mostly) underground gas distribution pipes and providing a 24/7, 365-days-a-year gas emergency service.