Towards 2100 AD: Locals invited to get the lowdown on plan to replace ageing gas mains

in your area

  • North Walsham in line for major gas mains renewal project in 2020
  • New pipes will help keep North Walsham connected to safe and reliable gas supplies until the 22nd century
  • Public invited to find out more at information events to be held in November 
Locals are being invited to find out more about Cadent’s plans to write a new chapter into the annals of North Walsham’s rich and varied history in 2020.
 
A major project to replace ageing gas mains in the historic North Norfolk market town is scheduled to get underway in January 2020. The essential work will see ageing gas mains which are nearing the end of their operational life replaced with tough new pipes which will help ensure locals stay connected to safe and reliable gas supplies until the Year 2100.
 
Cadent is scheduled to visit the town on Monday 11 November, Tuesday 12 November and Wednesday 13 November. A mobile Cadent information centre is due to be parked in Market Place adjacent to the bandstand from 8.30am to 4pm on these days and the public are invited to come along and find out more about the project.
 
Work is scheduled to be delivered over a 14-week period between January 6, 2020 and March 31, 2020 and engineers plan to carry out the work as follows:
 
  • Mundesley Road from the junction with Vicarage Street to the junction with Cromer Road. The road will be closed completely with no vehicle access and a diversion in place via Vicarage Street.
  • Market Street from the junction with Cromer Road to the junction with Market Place. This one-way road will have access through to Market Place. The bus stop will be temporarily located to Vicarage Street.
  • Market Place. This one-way road will be closed from outside no.47 to the junction with Church Road. Access will be provided in and out via Market Street and there will be a designated turning area.
  • Mitre Tavern Yard. Work will take place from the junction of Vicarage Street to the junction of Market Street.
 
Work to connect the new pipes will also be taking place in Church Road, Aylsham Road and Cromer Road.
 
There will be a brief interruption to the gas supply to properties where we are replacing old gas service pipes. Work to install new pipes and connect them to the gas supply, will take place on the same day. Engineers will contact those affected customers in advance of this work being carried out.
 
Local shops and businesses will remain open throughout the project.
 
Cadent is doing all it can to deliver the work with as little disruption as possible. Work is being planned in close discussion with the local authority and the project has been scheduled to avoid both the busy Christmas and summer tourist seasons.
 
Project designers have also had to factor in the town’s network of historic cellars and tunnels when drawing up their plans, with much of the project having to be delivered by digging old style trenches to minimise the proximity to any of these subterranean structures.
 
Project Authorising Engineer Dave Nolan said: “Cadent is writing a new chapter into the history of North Walsham with this project.
 
“We’ve worked closely with the local authority to agree a suitable design and delivery dates to ensure we minimise disruption to the area.”
He added: “The new pipes will be in service until around the Year 2100 helping ensure local people continue to enjoy safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking and heating, while also reducing the risk of disruption caused by leaks from ageing gas mains.
“I’d encourage anyone with questions about the project to come along to the events in November or call our helpline.”
People are reminded that they should ask to see official identification from anyone seeking to gain access to their property, all our engineers carry official identification.
 
For more information on the project or to verify a project engineer’s identity call 0800 0965675.
 
 
 
The project represents another chapter in the varied history of the town, which was a centre for weaving in Anglo-Saxon times and the scene of the Battle of North Walsham during the Peasants Revolt in 1381. The town also suffered devastating damage during the Great Fire of North Walsham in 1600.

This work is part of Cadent’s ongoing investment across its network to replace and upgrade old gas mains with safer and more durable modern pipes.
 
 
 
ENDS
 

Cadent

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Media contacts

Ben Green

Ben.Green1@cadentgas.com

07773 122925