National Grid, the UK’s largest utility company, is planning to replace over 700 metres of medium pressure gas mains in the Bootle area of Sefton as part of a multi-million pound package of improvements to the North West’s gas supply network.
The work will see existing metallic mains replaced with modern plastic ones. If left undisturbed once in the ground, the new pipes will have a lifespan of around 80 years.
The work to renew the gas mains is part of a national project agreed with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for replacing metallic mains across Britain. In all, the programme will see National Grid renew 15,000km of gas pipe over an eight year period.
The North West Gas Alliance – an alliance partnership between National Grid and Balfour Beatty will carry out 508km of mains replacement. Other contractors and National Grid’s own workforce will carry out the remainder.
Works in Sefton get underway on 7 April 2008 and will take approximately 10 weeks to complete.
During this period, mains will be replaced in Fleetwoods Lane and Glovers Lane. Work in each location will take several weeks to complete and residents will be notified by letter before work commences.
National Grid has worked with the local authority and the emergency services to manage traffic flows around the project.
John Edwards, Manager of the North West Gas Alliance said: “We need to renew these gas mains so that local people can continue to take their gas supplies for granted.
“We hope that people will have patience with us while we carry out this essential work – there will be disruption in the short term, but the end result will be a safe and reliable gas supply.”
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For more media information only, please contact Jeanette Unsworth, National Grid Communications on 07785 290230.