National Grid is investing more than £2 million as it works to deliver an essential upgrade to local gas supplies in Harrow Weald and Wealdstone as smoothly as possible.
Starting this week, the North London Gas Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and Skanska, will be replacing 2.5km of iron gas mains with new plastic pipes.
This essential work will take place from the junction with College Road in High Road, Harrow Weald, to the junction of The Bridge and George Gange Way in Wealdstone. It will avoid the High Street area between the junction of George Gange Way and Palmerston Way as the gas mains in this area have already been replaced.
Where possible the new pipes will be inserted into the old pipes to reduce the need for digging. However for technical reasons this is not always possible and a trench will be required in Cecil Road, between the junctions of Graham Road and Headstone Drive.
We will also be working in Lockett Road, between the junction with the High Street and Montrose Avenue. To reduce disruption Three Valleys Water will also be carrying out work in the area at the same time. This work is due to take place in the summer.
Constructions Operations Engineer Mick Morris said: “We are committed to delivering these improvements as efficiently as possible and to keeping disruption to a minimum. We have planned our programme of work in coordination with the council and other local stakeholders. We apologise for any inconvenience the work may cause.”
Temporary traffic lights will be in place for phased periods throughout the course of the project to help manage traffic safely.
The new pipes should last for a minimum of 80 years if they are left undisturbed and will ensure safe, secure and reliable gas supplies in the coming decades. The work forms part of National Grid’s nationwide main’s replacement programme which has been agreed in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive.
Work on the project should be complete by early December 2009.
If you require further information about the project please call our helpline number 0800 096 5678.
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For further media information only, please contact Antony Quarrell, National Grid Media Relations, on 07810 853075