- Modernising gas pipes that have been in operation for 85 years
- Upgrade will future-proof the network, ready to carry hydrogen
- Work begins 9 January 2023 and will continue over 12 weeks
Major works start early next year to replace 2,000 metres of gas pipes under Derby Road, Nottingham, which are essential to keeping homes in the area warm.
Cadent, which manages the local gas network, is calling time on a section of pipe that runs under the A52, between Priory Roundabout at one end and the roundabout that feeds into and off Middleton Boulevard and Clifton Boulevard at the other.
Pre-dating the Second World War, this pipe is now showing signs of its age and requires a major upgrade. In total, around 2,000 metres of pipe will be worked on – which is the same length as around 20 full-sized football pitches.
Metallic gas mains like these are being upgraded as part of an £1.1bn investment by Cadent in its Eastern England network over five years.
This programme is helping to get the network ready for a move away from fossil gases to hydrogen, which is essential for a ‘net zero’ future.
The frequency of repair work required on this pipe under Derby Road has led Cadent to bring forward its planned date for replacement.
As well as the large diameter main in the road, the engineers will also replace the individual service pipes that carry gas into a small number of properties.
Gas stays ON
The Cadent teams will ensure gas stays ON throughout the project. This is apart from one day (possibly two) – for those same properties only, as they are connected into the new pipes. Advance notice will be given and gas will be restored the same day it goes off.
When does it start – and how long will it take
Teams will move in to start the project on
9 January 2023. It will take around
12 weeks to complete.
Temporary traffic arrangements for the duration of work
As the teams will be working in one-lane of the two-lane carriageway, traffic will only be able to travel in one direction (from Priory Roundabout towards Nottingham city centre). All other traffic will be required to follow a diversion route agreed with Nottingham City Council. This will be signposted. Please allow extra time for journeys (particularly at peak times) or consider using alternative routes.
Richard Sansom, Director of Cadent’s East Midlands Network, 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 hydrogen.
“This part of the network has operated for more than 85 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 will maintain a work area that ensures the road can stay open in one direction, towards Nottingham city centre.”
The work has been timed to conclude before a planned road resurfacing project along this same route is carried out on behalf of Highways England.
Advance notice signs will be in situ soon and customer teams will be sending out information to properties in the immediate area around the works. Social media posts, as well as visits to schools and local businesses, are also happening.
Contacting Cadent about this project
Customers with questions about this work can contact the team by:
Phone: 0800 090 3071
Email:
CustomerCareEM@cadentgas.com
Online:
https://cadentgas.com/contact-us-3/contact-form-east-midlands
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 East Midlands
Cadent’s ‘East Midlands’ network covers a wide area that includes Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and large parts of Derbyshire, as well as South Yorkshire.
Beneath this region – under roads, footpaths and fields – are more than 29,000km of gas distribution pipes. These carry gas to 2.4 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 half-way back again.
Cadent manages this extensive network, as well as gas networks for North West England, East Anglia, 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 £1.1bn in the Eastern England area) to maintain this network and get it ready for the arrival soon of greener, low-carbon gases, such as hydrogen.