- Robo-engineers coming to Sloane Square in 2020
- Low impact CISBOT technology to be deployed on project from January to August 2020
- Locals can find out more at a public exhibition on Thursday 19 December 2019
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Locals are being invited to get the lowdown on sci-fi style plans to use robots to give ageing gas mains in the Sloane Square area a new lease of life.
Britain’s largest gas distribution network Cadent are due to deploy robots utilising innovative CISBOT technology on a project in Kensington and Chelsea to remediate a number of ageing gas mains in the area.
Using CISBOT (Cast Iron Sealing Bot) will dramatically reduce the duration of the project as well as the number of excavations needed. The robot is also able to work inside live mains with the gas still flowing, meaning that there should be no interruption of gas supply.
The work is scheduled to be delivered in phases between January and August 2020 and the project has been carefully planned in close discussion with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Transport for London. Local shops and businesses will be open as usual throughout the work. Access will be maintained for local residents and businesses and clearly signed routes will be kept open for pedestrians.
A public drop in session will be held on Thursday 19th December at Holy Trinity Church on Sloane Square, SW1X 9BZ between 4pm and 8pm where representatives from the project will be available to answer any questions people may have about the work.
The robots, which are provided by contractor ULC Robotics, are able to enter the gas mains through special insertion tubes. Inside the gas mains CISBOT is remotely operated by highly trained human operators working in an above ground vehicle. The robots travel along the pipe and inject a special sealant into ageing pipe joints. This process reduces the risk of future gas escapes and can extend the life of a gas main by decades.
Cadent Network Engineer, Kane McLoughlin, said: “Using CISBOT means we can deliver our work faster, smoother and more economically than if we were using traditional methods.
“That’s great news for the public who get to enjoy the continued provision of safe and reliable gas supplies with a lot less above ground disruption.”
The project is part of Cadent’s expanded CISBOT programme for London which was announced earlier this year after high profile successes using the robots in The Strand and Oxford Street in 2018.
Mr McLoughlin added: “I’d encourage any local residents and businesses who want to find out more about the project to come and meet us at the public exhibition.”
The project is part of Cadent’s essential work to help ensure Londoners stay connected to safe and reliable gas supplies, which in turn helps the capital maintain its status as a leading global hub.
For non-emergency enquiries about Cadent’s work call 0345 835 1111 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday) or email
wecare@cadentgas.com
- Suspected gas escapes should be reported on 0800 111 999* (Calls are recorded and may be monitored)
ENDS