Work will begin on Monday (26 July) to install a new gas main in Nantwich town centre, as engineers move to secure safe and reliable supplies.
Assessment of the route of the current underground gas distribution pipes confirm some have been impacted by building and development in recent years.
Cadent, which manages the local gas network, needs to resolve this by installing a 267-metre stretch of new gas main under Welsh Row and Queens Drive.
Following consultation with Cheshire East Council, Cadent has agreed to commence this essential work on 26 July. It will take up to six weeks to complete.
Major engineering like this, in a busy commercial and residential area, presents considerable challenges. The absolute priority is keeping everyone safe.
The plan is for the gas teams to complete the work on Welsh Row under a road closure, in sections, starting at the junction with Queen’s Drive and ending at Nantwich Bridge. This will allow access for residents, car parks and deliveries. Work will also take place for a number of weeks on Queen’s Drive, under traffic lights.
“We have a responsibility to make sure every property that uses gas has access to it 24/7, 365 days a year,” explained Craig Horrocks, Head of Cadent’s North West Investment Planning Office.
“We need to install this new main to give that guarantee here in Nantwich, where more than 83 per cent of homes have gas central heating.
“Installing this new pipe now also helps us get ready for the introduction soon of hydrogen, which is essential to the UK journey to net zero.
“We know it’s far from ideal to have traffic lights and road closures, and we have worked hard with Cheshire East Council to build a plan that keeps traffic flowing and maintains access for local businesses and residents.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we complete this work.”
Teams have liaised with local stakeholders and councillors, and information has been sent to properties within the work area. Gas supply stays ON throughout.
Cadent in the North West
Cadent operates four of the UK’s eight gas distribution networks – North West England, West Midlands, Eastern England and North London.
Its North West network stretches from the Lake District to Crewe and is home to 21,000 miles of distribution pipes (most of them underground) and hundreds of above ground installations. If placed end to end, that amount of pipes would stretch from Cheshire to Sydney, Australia, and back again.
Around £800m will be invested in the North West’s gas network over the next five years. This will maintain safe, secure supplies to homes, hospitals, schools, offices and other sites, as well as support the UK journey to net zero carbon emissions.
Backed by Cadent and many partners, the North West region is set to lead the way in a major shift from fossil gases to hydrogen. Producing only heat and water at point of use, hydrogen is key to the UK’s net zero future and is set to be introduced at volume in the North West during the 2020s (see
www.hynet.co.uk).