- Final phase of major scheme starts in early January
- Modernising gas pipes that have been in operation for 70 years
- Keeping local homes warm and preparing for greener energy
- Apology issued for unplanned disruption earlier in the project
The final phase of a major project to replace a one-kilometre section of gas pipeline under the A592 Rayrigg Road, Windermere, begins early in January.
Cadent, which manages the local gas network, decided to call time on a metallic pipe that has been helping keep local homes warm since 1953.
Installing a ‘bypass’ before beginning work in October meant Cadent kept gas flowing throughout these colder winter months, with an uninterrupted supply to heat homes, a local church and other buildings.
The teams are now preparing to start the final phase of the project on 2
nd January and plan to complete by the end of the month.
This phase requires the closure of the northbound lane of the A592 Rayrigg Road, starting from just after the Windermere Lake Viewpoint Car Park, to the roundabout at the junction with Ambleside Road. Traffic will be diverted through Windermere. The lane heading south – towards Bowness – stays open to vehicles.
Old metallic gas mains like these are being upgraded as part of an £800m investment by Cadent in its North West network over five years.
As well as keeping people warm today – the majority of local homes have gas central heating – this programme is helping to get the network ready for the introduction of cleaner alternatives to fossil gas, which is essential for a ‘net zero’ future.
Records indicate that some sections of this pipeline were installed in 1953 and it is now showing signs of its age – with repairs and maintenance, and associated traffic disruption, increasing in frequency in recent years.
Mark Syers, Head of Investment Planning Office (North West), Cadent, said: “Our job is to keep gas flowing to heat homes, schools, offices and many other buildings in the local area, as well as future-proof the network ready for greener gases.
“This part of the network has operated for 70 years. We’ve become too frequent a visitor in recent years, with our teams carrying out essential repairs.
“This upgrade will bring an end to that, ensuring everyone gets a safe, reliable supply well into the future.
“We appreciate this means another period of disruption, and our teams will work as quickly as they safely can to complete the work.”
An apology
When adding the necessary ‘bypass’ to the network back in October half-term, to keep gas flowing while the old pipe is replaced, we soon realised that work would have to take place further into the carriageway than had been anticipated. This led to considerable congestion and Cadent would like to apologise for that.
Contacting Cadent about this project
Customers with questions about this work can contact the team by:
Phone: 0800 090 3071
Email:
CustomerCareNW@cadentgas.com
Online:
https://cadentgas.com/contact-us/contact-form-nw
If you smell gas
If you smell gas during this work, nearby or anywhere, always ring the national gas emergency service immediately, day or night, on 0800 111 999*. Do not delay, or assume it is related to this work. It may not be and must be checked.
Cadent in the North West
Cadent’s North West network includes Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester, as well as parts of Cumbria and Derbyshire.
Beneath this region – under roads, footpaths and fields – are more than 34,000km of gas distribution pipes. These carry gas to 2.7 million homes, hospitals, schools, offices and other sites – for heat, hot water, cooking and industrial uses. If placed end to end, they’d reach Sydney, Australia, and come back again.
Cadent manages this extensive network, as well as gas networks for Eastern England, West Midlands and North London. It is responsible for ensuring the network is operating safely and reliably, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Cadent will invest more than £3.4bn over the next five years (including more than £800m in the North West area) to maintain this network and get it ready for the arrival soon of greener, lower-carbon gases.