In the pipeline: upgrade for ageing gas mains in Solihull

Jul 28 2020 in your area

New gas pipes being installed in Church Hill Road, Solihull
Temporary traffic lights to keep the public safe
New pipe will keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses until the next century

Ageing gas pipes in Solihull’s Church Hill Road are set for an overhaul that will keep residents warm and safe into the next century.

In a three-week project, starting on Monday (3 August), West Midlands gas distributor Cadent will install the new gas mains from Manor Square (outside St Alphege Parish Church) to the Oliver Bird Hall.

The existing iron mains will be replaced with tough new plastic pipes that will last for at least 80 years.

To keep colleagues and road-users safe while the work is underway, temporary traffic lights will be in place. The work coincides with a temporary one-way system in Church Hill Road to allow pedestrians to social distance. Drivers are advised to leave extra time for their journeys.

Craig Horrocks, who heads up Cadent’s gas mains replacement programme in Solihull and the West Midlands, said: “With 85% of Solihull residents relying on gas to heat their homes, it’s important that we keep investing in our pipe network so people can stay warm and safe for many decades to come.

“To keep colleagues and motorists safe we will need traffic management and we would ask people to bear with us as we complete this work.

“The safety of the public and colleagues is at the heart of what we do. Engineers work to the latest government guidance on Covid-19 and are taking extra safety precautions as required.”
If anyone has any questions about this work, they should contact the customer service team on 0161 703 1010 / 1110.

Cadent

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.

Future of Gas: 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.

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