National Grid, the UK’s largest utility company, is planning to replace over 1, 800 metres of medium pressure gas mains in Heywood 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 – a 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 Heywood gets underway on 1 April 2008 and will take approximately 3 weeks to complete.
In all, 1,810 metres of medium pressure cast iron main will be replaced. Whilst work is carried out in Pilsworth Road, Argyle Street and Seymour Street, two temporary traffic lights will be in place throughout the duration of the projects.
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.