- Engineers begin multiple repairs to gas network this weekend
- Work will require northbound closures on Gracechurch Street and London Bridge
- Signed diversions will be in place and routes will be maintained for buses and taxis
This weekend Cadent engineers will begin major repairs to gas mains in the City of London.
Over the past few weeks there have been a number of gas escapes in the area, which require repairs to be made to joints on ageing gas mains.
The repairs must be carried out to ensure people in the area continue to enjoy safe and reliable gas supplies. However the task will involve complex engineering challenges as the mains are located deep underground and engineers will need to work at depths of up to five metres (16.4 feet) in places to fix them.
The gas mains were laid at a time when London’s roads were much quieter and the repairs will require engineers to dig in a very busy area. They will also have to work around a labyrinth of pipes and cables belonging to other utilities as well as London Underground tunnels.
The repair operation will get underway in the early hours of Saturday 24 February. To enable work to be done safely, a northbound road closure will be in place at Gracechurch Street on from midnight. London Bridge northbound will also need to be closed for vehicles other than buses in the early hours of Monday 26 February. However both routes will remain open to buses and taxis.
Two signed diversions will be in place via Blackfriars Bridge and Tower Bridge. Real time information will also be provided by variable message signs. Cadent will also be on site 24-7.
Richard Sansom, Cadent Gas Distribution Network Manager, East London, said: “We have liaised with Transport for London (TfL) to come up with the best plan to repair the gas mains, while also ensuring any disruption to the public is minimised.
“We currently anticipate our work will take a number of weeks to complete but cannot give a more specific timescale due to the complexities of the engineering challenges involved.”
The road closures will need to remain in place until repairs in each location are completed and roads surfaces reinstated.
Richard added: “People can rest assured that we’re doing all we can to get these repairs completed as soon as possible and with a minimum of disruption to the public.
“We’re sorry for any inconvenience people may experience as a result of these essential repairs. This work will help ensure Londoners in the area stay connected to safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking and heating.”
If anyone has any questions or concerns about the work they should contact Cadent’s enquiries team on 0345 835 1111 or email
wecare@cadentgas.com and quote reference 10402755.