Ageing gas mains under Macclesfield Road, Alderley Edge, are about to be upgraded as part of a major investment programme to modernise older sections of the UK’s gas network.
The gas main serving this area was installed in 1968, a year remembered for Manchester United becoming the first English team to win the European Cup and The Beatles releasing Hey Jude
.
While the pipework met the demands of the time, the area has seen significant development since. To maintain safe and reliable pressures for heating, hot water and cooking 365-days-a-year, Cadent now needs to install a larger‑diameter, more resilient pipe.
In recent years, this stretch of pipeline has also shown signs of leakage, requiring emergency call‑outs and causing unplanned disruption. Replacing the main now will address these issues and secure a safer, more robust supply for decades to come.
Works are scheduled to start on 9 March 2026, lasting for approximately four weeks. Extra teams of engineers are assigned to this project, which reduces the amount of time it would otherwise have taken.
This upgrade forms part of Cadent’s wider programme to improve ageing infrastructure and reduce environmental impact. More information is available at: www.cadentgas.com/nw5
To ensure the safety of residents, road users and engineers, the following measures will be in place:
Emergency service access will be maintained at all times.
Lucy Sterry, Head of Work Management (North West) at Cadent, said: The work we are doing here is part of our wider gas mains upgrade programme – a major, nationwide effort to modernise the oldest pipes in the UK network and ensure we can maintain a safe and reliable supply for heating, hot water, cooking and local businesses.
On this specific scheme in Alderley Edge, we are upgrading around 900 metres of gas pipes. These older pipes are showing signs of reaching the end of their operational life, and replacing them now ensures the local network remains safe and dependable for years to come.
The techniques we use mean gas stays on throughout most of the work. Only properties that take a direct feed from the pipe being replaced experience a brief interruption, and their supply is restored the same day it goes off.
We recognise that road closures and traffic management can create disruption, and we work closely with the local authority to minimise this. I’d like to thank residents for their patience while we complete these essential upgrades.
If you ever smell gas, please do not assume it’s related to our work. Act immediately and call the national gas emergency service on 0800 111 999*.
Updates will be provided if any significant changes arise. Further details will be available at: www.cadentgas.com/news
Telephone: 0800 090 3071*
Email: [email protected]
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.
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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