Safer, modern gas pipes coming to Ipswich as 75‑year‑old network is replaced

• Essential work in Ipswich will help keep residents connected to safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking and heating
• A public event to learn more about the plans is taking place on Tuesday 10 February
• Work expected to be completed by mid-April

While 1951 may have been the year that Winston Churchill started his second spell as Prime Minister, it was also then year that metal gas pipes were first installed under roads in Ipswich.

Now, 75 years on, it is time for the gas pipes to have an upgrade to tough plastic ones which will future proof the network for many decades to come.

Starting on Monday 16 February, engineers from Cadent – the UKs largest gas distribution network – will start work to replace 2000 metres of metallic gas pipes.

The project is part of a £91m investment this year, which will see more than 300km of pipes upgraded in the East of England before the end of March.

The work is being carried out in phases along Freehold Road, Parliament Road, Upland Road, Bloomfield Street, Henslow Road, Ringham Road, Cowper Street, Tokio Road, Crabbe Street, and Kembal Street.

To ensure the safety of everyone, there will need to be road closures with diversion routes put in place. Access will remain in place for residents throughout.

Following consultation with Suffolk County Council, Cadent has agreed to carry out this essential work over an eight-week period from Monday 16 February to Wednesday 15 April.

Ahead of the work taking place, residents and businesses are invited to attend a public event to learn more about the necessity for the project and how the work will affect everyone on a day-to-day basis.

Between midday and 2pm on Tuesday 10 February, customer teams from Cadent will have a gazebo set up on the grass verge close to the junction of Newbury Road and Britania Road, for people to call at and learn more about the project which got underway earlier this month.

There is no need to book an appointment, just turn up and speak to the team.

Eleanor Buxton, Head of Work Management at Cadent, said: The metallic pipes that are in place in this section of the network have been very well used over the past 75 years and it’s time for them to be replaced so that we can continue to deliver gas to peoples' homes 24/7, 365 days a year.

In this part of Ipswich, more than 75 per cent of homes have gas central heating. Upgrading these pipelines will ensure we can continue to distribute gas safely to them, for many decades to come.

These upgrades also have big environmental gains, as they reduce methane emissions and enable a move to more renewable gases like biomethane. This is essential for a cleaner future – the UK will need energy to come from a range of sources to meet demand and be sustainable.

We are very conscious of the disruption works like this cause and hope people can accept this project is essential to maintain a long-term safe gas supply.

Gas stays ON for the duration of work. The only interruption to supply will be to properties that take a direct feed from the pipes being replaced (in the immediate local area). Supply to these properties will be disconnected for a short while (it will be back on the same day it goes off), as the property gets connected into the new pipe. Advance notice will be given, and more information will be provided to these properties.

If you smell gas, always ring the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999*, day or night. Do not assume it is related to this work; it may not be and needs to be checked.