Preparing for a greener future: details of gas main upgrade in Tyldesley

Work to upgrade a major gas main that runs under Hough Lane, Tyldesley, and which helps carry gas to heat thousands of homes in the local area, starts Monday (9 March).

An 80-metre section of an old metallic gas main, which is now reaching the end of its safe working life, will be replaced with a tough new plastic one that will last for generations.

Engineers need to work in one of the two lanes of the carriageway, so a plan has been agreed with the local authority to safely manage the flow of vehicles around this activity.

As advertised on warning signs placed on the route, starting Monday, for around two weeks, there will be no access from A577 Manchester Road / Sale Lane onto Hough Lane.

A diversion will be signposted and motorists are advised to budget extra time for journeys.

Craig Horrocks, who heads the mains replacement programme of gas network Cadent, which has commissioned this work, said: “Cadent has to ensure gas reaches every home that needs it, safely, and on demand. What we’re doing is essential work to upgrade an ageing asset that’s simply reached the end of its working life.

"We always try to minimise the impact of work like this but, as we’re working in the road, some disruption is unavoidable. We expect this to take around two weeks and we thank people for their patience while we get this job done.”

Teams will work on the main ‘live’ – which means the gas stays on and there will be no interruption to main local supplies.

This is apart from 10 properties which also need to have their ‘service pipes’ replaced (the pipes which carry gas from the main in the road into their home). They have received letters to explain the process: they will be notified in advance and the gas will be turned back on for them later on the same day that it is turned off.

Cadent manages all the 21,000 miles of gas mains which run under North West England, distributing gas to 2.7 million properties in this network. The vast majority of UK homes (around 83%) use gas for central heating. Gas networks will have a big role in supporting the UK journey to 'net zero' and Cadent is leading moves to introduce more greener gases like hydrogen and biomethane.