Operation Support NHS: our fast work to move a gas main helps hospital increase bed capacity

• Site chosen for new unit to assist with coronavirus found to have a gas main underneath it
• Cadent team works long hours and over the weekend to safely move the main 30 metres
• Local engineers supporting their local NHS - five of the team were born at the hospital

Our engineers worked long hours and over the weekend to support the NHS in Ashton-under-Lyne as it creates extra bed capacity to assist with the coronavirus crisis.

Tameside General Hospital is rapidly building a new unit, but underneath the most suitable site for it is the main gas pipe feed into the hospital. It’s just not safe to build over gas pipes.

We’ve removed that problem now though. Our engineers have diverted the gas main by 30 metres – safely, but at fast pace, working long hours and into the weekend, and at nil cost to the NHS.

We also kept gas flowing throughout and at all times made space for ambulances to reach the A&E reception, which is right next-door to the site.

For many of the team, this was very close to home, helping the NHS hospital closest to where they live – in fact, five of them were born at this hospital!

Cadent supervisor Rob Beedles said: “It was amazing how hard the team worked and the hours they put in to avoid any delays to this essential unit being built.

“On behalf of our team, I would also like to thank the Trust and staff. We’ve seen it first-hand - your commitment, dedication, morale and spirit is fantastic.”

Great work Rob, Trevor Hague, Dan Cannon, Ian McCormack, Damien Marland, Rob Wilson, Steve Leah, Tom Carter, Paul Maddock and the reinstatement team.

Energy networks like Cadent are recognised as critical industries during coronavirus. As your gas network, we make sure gas safely reaches homes, hospitals, schools and other buildings that must stay open. We also provide your 24/7, year-round gas emergency service.

Here’s more information on how we’re working safely during the coronavirus crisis.