A major project to urgently boost Stratford’s gas network – and remove concerns about gas supply to thousands of homes – is set to begin on Monday (17 Jan).
Cadent, which manages the local gas network, says major development is putting significant strain on its existing pipeline under A3400 Birmingham Road.
This part of the network helps distribute gas to many thousands of homes across a wide area, where it is used for central heating, hot water, and cooking.
Details of the scheme
Starting on Monday (17 Jan), and over the next two weeks, Cadent will ‘reinforce’ this network by installing a larger pipe.
The work will take place in Birmingham Road, close to Worths Way.
With engineers working in the road, and to keep everyone safe, traffic lights will be needed to manage vehicles around the work area.
Gas will continue to flow during the work (supply should not be impacted).
This is essential work
“This is essential work to ensure we can continue to meet demand for gas, but we also recognise that we’re impacting a busy road,” said Mark Briggs, Head of Investment for Cadent’s West Midlands Network.
“We hope people understand we are doing everything we can to complete the work as fast but as safely as possible.
“As well as residents living locally, this is a busy route to the town centre and close to Tesco and Maybird Shopping Park. Please budget extra time for journeys.”
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’s related to this work. It may not be and must be checked.
Cadent in the West Midlands
Cadent operates four of the UK’s eight gas distribution networks: North West, West Midlands, Eastern and North London. Its West Midlands network covers a wide area from North Staffordshire to Herefordshire, reaching the M1 in the East and the Welsh borders on the West.
Hundreds of engineers and support teams ensure 24/7, year-round management of an underground piped gas distribution network which, if placed end to end, stretches to more than 15,000 miles. That’s almost 4.5 times the distance from Stratford to New York.
Cadent also provides the region’s gas emergency service, with operatives ready to respond quickly, day and night, to reported gas escapes or carbon monoxide incidents, or to support the blue-light emergency services dealing with incidents where gas is present (e.g., house fires).
Over the next five years, Cadent will invest £288million to upgrade older gas mains in the West Midlands’ network. These pipes safely, reliably and out-of-sight (underground) distribute gas that keeps people warm in their homes. More than 80 per cent of homes have gas central heating.
This West Midlands Network is playing a huge role in helping to switch the gas grid away from fossil fuels, with Cadent, Keele University and other partners recently completing a UK-first trial of blending hydrogen into the existing gas pipe network. Using hydrogen in this blended way is a key step to converting the UK-wide system – essential to achieving net zero carbon emissions.