Birmingham: Summer holiday gas pipe project to benefit local people

Aug 3 2018 in your area

Old metallic main to be replaced with long-lasting plastic pipe
Work will ensure gas arrives safely and reliably to thousands of customers, for generations
Part of country-wide programme to improve gas mains infrastructure

Work to upgrade an underground gas pipe serving thousands of homes in Birmingham gets under way on Monday (6 August).

Engineers will spend up to four weeks on a job that will ensure gas flows safely through the pipe which runs under the Ladywood area.

An old metallic main, which has reached the end of its working life, will be replaced with a durable plastic pipe that will last for more than 80 years.

The work, in Ladywood Road and Reservoir Road, is during the school summer holidays – when roads are usually quieter – to minimise disruption.

To ensure the safety of road users and the engineers working in the road, vehicles will not be able to turn onto either road from Monument Road (B4124), or enter Monument Road from the same junctions. Traffic will instead follow a short diversion.

This main has been identified for urgent replacement as part of a programme to upgrade existing metallic gas mains across the UK. Gas network Cadent worked in the same area last year and this is now the completion of the same job.

Every year, Cadent invests millions of pounds to improve hundreds of kilometres of mains pipes just like this one, across the West Midlands.

Letters have been sent to homes near to where the work is taking place, explaining that access will be maintained for residents and deliveries.

Steve Murray, who heads Cadent’s gas mains replacement programme in the West Midlands, said: “This is essential work to ensure local people safely get the gas they need to keep warm in winter and to cook their meals. We know our work can cause disruption and we work hard with local authorities to keep that to a minimum.”

If residents have any questions, they can approach any representative on site, or ring the customer team on 0161 703 1110.

Cadent

Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy. We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change. Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency. Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing.

Future of Gas: Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.

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