- 1.5km of ageing gas mains to be replaced with tough new pipes in Mud Lane, St Albans, in essential project
- Archaeological and historic experts called in to assist with planning work in historic Verulamium Park
- Project will help keep safe and reliable gas supplies flowing for cooking and heating into the future
Engineers are working with archaeological experts and historians as they plan to deliver an essential project that will help keep locals connected to safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking and heating.
Work is due to start on Monday 13 March and is currently scheduled to last for up to 12 weeks. Engineers will replace 1.5km of ageing metal gas mains with tough new pipes in Mud Lane, off Holywell Hill, and historic Verulamium Park.
The work involves replacing the gas mains that run under and adjacent to Mud Lane, which lead to Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre and the main path through Verulamium Park. Signs will re-direct pedestrians to alternative routes while the work is taking place.
To minimise inconvenience to the community the new pipes will be inserted into the old mains.
Verulamium Park stands on part of the site of the Roman city of Verulamium. At one time the city was the third largest settlement in Roman Britain after Londonium (modern day London) and Corinium (modern day Cirencester). Britain’s first recorded martyr Saint Alban is said to have been beheaded outside the city’s gates on the site of the present day Cathedral. Today visitors can view Roman remains including walls, the outline of part of the basilica and a hypocaust (heated floor) complete with heated mosaic. Many more artefacts still lie undisturbed beneath the ground.
Project Engineer Dilbir Chana said: “We’re very conscious that we’ll be working on some very historic ground.
“Our project team is working very closely with Historic England and archaeologists to ensure that our work doesn’t adversely impact the area in anyway.”
At some stage during the project a lane closure will need to be implemented along a 50m stretch of Mud Lane. It’s anticipated that this will be for a period of two to three weeks and traffic flows will be maintained by using temporary traffic lights.
Work will involve replacing service pipes to some properties and engineers will require access to do this work which will involve temporarily switching off the gas supply to the properties involved. Those affected will be notified beforehand.
Local facilities such as Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre will remain open as usual.
All National Grid engineers carry official identity cards, which people should ask to see before allowing them on their property.
To verify an engineer’s identity or for any enquiries about this work people should contact National Grid’s customer services team on 0800 096 5678.
To find out more about National Grid‘s gas mains replacement work go to www.bettergaspipes.co.uk