New gas main on track for Station Road, Stafford

Jun 10 2020 in your area

■ Ageing main set to be replaced in Station Road, Stafford

■ Contraflow in place to keep drivers and colleagues safe

■ New pipe will keep the gas flowing to local homes and businesses until the next century

■ Project taking place during Covid-19 restrictions to minimise impact on drivers and train passengers

An ageing gas main running under Stafford’s Station Road is set for an upgrade that will see local people continuing to enjoy safe and reliable gas supplies for decades to come.

Laid during the age of steam, the iron pipe is nearing the end of its operational life. On Monday 15 June, West Midlands gas distributor Cadent will start a four-week project to replace it with a tough new plastic pipe that will last into the 22^nd Century.

To keep drivers and colleagues safe while the work is underway, one lane will be closed and a contraflow in place. To minimise traffic disruption and any impact on train passengers, the work is being carried out during Covid-19 restrictions, while traffic is lighter and fewer people are using the rail network.

Craig Horrocks, who heads up Cadent’s gas mains replacement programme in the West Midlands, said: “Our job is to keep the gas flowing to homes, vital public services, and businesses, especially in these difficult times.

“This is an ageing pipe that’s due for renewal and once the new pipe is in the ground it will ensure safe and reliable gas supplies for local people for decades to come and means we won’t need to return for many years.

“To keep the public and colleagues safe we will need a contraflow but we have timed the work to minimise the impact on drivers and train passengers. We will work to complete this essential project as soon as possible and we would like to thank people for their patience while this is carried out.”

The UK Government has classed work undertaken by energy networks like Cadent as essential during the Covid-19 outbreak, as they are ensuring a safe and reliable gas supply. The safety of customers and colleagues is Cadent’s top priority. Engineers work to the latest government guidance and are taking extra safety precautions as required.

If anyone has any questions about this work, they should contact the customer service team on 0161 703 1010 / 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.

Cadent manages the national gas emergency service free phone line on behalf of the gas industry - 0800 111 999*

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