- Leak identified on old underground cast iron gas main, in the middle of Queens Drive’s junction with East Prescot Road
- Regular monitoring and ‘venting’ (narrow vent holes drilled into the road) are keeping everything safe and under control
- Three-phase plan to fix this requires the closure of two of Queens Drive’s three lanes for a couple of days, at the end of July
A three-phase plan to fix a leak found on a gas main which sits directly under the middle of one of Liverpool’s busiest road junctions is under-way.
Cadent, which manages the North West’s gas mains, needs to get access to the cast iron main under Queens Drive’s junction with East Prescot Road.
The repair plan, devised by Cadent in conjunction with Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Police, seeks to keep unavoidable disruption to a minimum.
Two hundred metres of this 12-inch-diameter gas main is to be abandoned, after analysis of the local network confirmed alternative ways of ensuring supplies.
Phase one took place in June, involving the week-long closure of one lane of East Prescot Road. Phase two gets under-way on Wednesday (3 July), which requires the closure of one lane of Prescot Road for two weeks.
The third, and final, phase involves work in the junction itself. This is currently scheduled to start 26 July, after the evening rush-hour. For this phase only, to keep everyone safe, two of Queens Drive’s three lanes will be closed. Nearer the time, reminders will appear on road signs on the approaches to the area.
Lee Rowland, head of operations for Cadent in the North West, said: “The location of this couldn’t be more challenging – the leak is coming from a section of the gas main that’s right under the middle of the junction.
“We’ve agreed a plan that’s been timed deliberately – the third phase in school holidays, mostly over a weekend, and outside of the football season – to try and keep disruption to a minimum. If you know this area you will know there are other ways into and out of the city, so our advice is to use these, or budget extra time for your journeys. We appreciate everyone’s patience while we get this work done – we know it is not ideal, but it is essential work to keep everyone safe.”
Gas supplies should not be affected. If you smell gas, do not dismiss it as connected to this work. Report it immediately to 0800 111 999*.
Cadent is a gas distribution network, responsible for safely transporting gas to more than 11 million customers in North West England, the Midlands, East of England and North London, through more than 80,000 miles of pipes. It also provides the 24/7, year-round gas emergency service to the same regions.
*Calls to this number are recorded and may be monitored.