Ageing Sleaford gas pipes set for replacement

• Essential work in Sleaford will help keep residents connected to safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking and heating.
• The scheme involves replacing 2,000 metres of ageing gas mains with traffic management in place throughout.
• The 11-week scheme is scheduled for completion by 15 April.

Gas pipes which were originally installed the same year as the Titanic sank, are due to be replaced from the beginning of February.

The project in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, will see almost 2,000 metres of gas main pipelines – which were installed in 1912 - being replaced with tough new pipes which will last for decades, future-proofing the local network.

Engineers from Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network, will be starting work on Monday 2 February, in Grantham Road, Sleaford, with further work taking place in Mareham Lane, and Ickworth Road. The works will also have an impact on several neighbouring roads including Charlotte Street, St Edmonds Road, King Edward Street, Victoria Street, and Lord Street.

Following consultation with Lincolnshire County Council, Cadent has agreed to carry out these essential works over an 11-week period from Monday 2 February and Wednesday 15 April.

Due to the location of the gas main the work taking place will be carried out using multiway traffic lights to ensure that engineers can work safely.

There will also need to be some road closures during the different phases of the scheme with the junctions of Charlotte Street, Victoria Street, Ickworth Road and Lord Street all being closed during the Grantham Road section of work. Mareham Lane and Ickworth Road will also be closed during the phased work with diversions being put in place. Access will remain for residents.

Richard Sansom, Network Director for Cadent in the East Midlands, said: Here at Cadent, we have a responsibility to make sure every property that uses gas has access to a safe and reliable supply, 24/7, 365 days a year.

In this part of Sleaford, 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 have worked with the local highways team, as well as local authorities to try our best to ensure that we minimise disruption, whilst we carry out these essential works.

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

Gas stays ON for the duration of the works. 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 these works; it may not be and needs to be checked.