National Grid will start work next week (10 August) on the next phase of its £750,000 project to replace 6.5km of old iron gas mains in Levenshulme.
The project, part of a £94m package of improvements in the North West's gas supply network, began in Stockport Road in April and now moves to the junction with Albert Road.
To ensure that this stage of the work is completed quickly and safety we are advising motorists that it will be necessary to close Albert Road to through traffic from its junctions with Stockport Road and Buckhurst Road/Marshall Road for about eight weeks.
Local access and access to the train station will be maintained, but traffic travelling to Manchester and Stockport will be diverted. The work has been planned in conjunction with the local authority and advance warning will be given of work and diversion routes will be clearly signposted.
Traffic travelling towards Manchester will be diverted along Crowcroft Road, left onto Slade Lane and onto Albert Road. Traffic travelling towards Stockport will be diverted along Crossley Road right onto Errwood Road, onto Marshall Road and then onto Albert Road
“The gas pipes which run beneath the streets of Levenshulme have served us well but the time has now come to replace them. The new pipes will last at least 80 years once we get them in the ground,” said Glen Shaw, of the North West Gas Alliance – a partnership National Grid has formed with Balfour Beatty to carry out this work.
Glenn added: “We will do everything we can to keep traffic moving while we are working and also to make sure local businesses can continue to operate as normal.”
The mains being replaced are a vital part of the local gas supply system. The work is part of an investment of over £2 billion a year in National Grid’s gas and electricity networks in the UK.
Glen said: “We know people will be concerned about possible disruption and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. But please have patience with us during our work. The short-term pain will be followed by a long-term gain – a safe and reliable gas supply system for many years to come.”
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For further media information contact, Jeanette Unsworth, National Grid Media Relations, on 01926 655372