- Work has started (30 September) to upgrade and future-proof 250 metres of an old gas main underneath Jubilee Road, Haslingden
- This is major engineering work, requiring months of planning and liaison with the local authority to keep pedestrians, motorists and workers safe
- The new gas main will last more than 80 years, ensuring energy flows safely and reliably to homes and businesses in the local area
Work to upgrade and future-proof an underground gas main – essential for keeping homes in Haslingden warm in winter – has started.
Cadent, which manages the North West’s gas mains, is investing £80,000 to replace a 250-metre section of the old spun iron main which runs under Jubilee Road.
The gas network identified this pipe for replacement as part of a 30-year, UK-wide programme to upgrade ageing gas mains, which ensures the local networks are ready to carry ever-greener gases to heat homes for generations.
More than 87 per cent of the 29,058 households in Rossendale use gas for central heating, with many also using it for cooking meals and hot water.
Work started yesterday (30/09) and is expected to last eight weeks. The pipe is close to the road’s junction with Grane Road and this junction will be closed for the duration (there is no access to or from Grane Road). A diversion is signposted.
The teams may also replace some ‘service’ pipes – the smaller pipe carrying gas from the big main in the road into each house. If this happens, they will need to turn off supply to that house temporarily. It will be back on the same day that it goes off and advance notice (and more information) will be provided.
“This is vital work, future-proofing our gas mains so customers in Haslingden can enjoy safe and reliable supplies, for heating their homes and cooking meals,” said Craig Horrocks, who heads Cadent’s mains replacement in the North West.
“Our gas mains are mostly located underneath roads, which means we face a big challenge to safely carry out heavy engineering schemes in close proximity to motorists and pedestrians. So, as you can imagine, the start of work this month in Jubilee Road is actually the culmination of months of planning, including liaising with the local authority, to agree the best time to carry out the work and how best to safely manage pedestrians and traffic passing our work area.
“Safety is always our top priority, and I really want to thank people for their patience and understanding as we complete this essential upgrade.”
Home owners and business in the immediate vicinity have been sent letters explaining more about the work.
If you smell gas, do not dismiss it as connected to this work. Report it immediately to 0800 111 999*.
Cadent is a gas distribution network, responsible for safely transporting gas to more than 11 million customers in North West England, the Midlands, East of England and North London, through more than 80,000 miles of pipes. It also provides the 24/7, year-round gas emergency service to the same regions.