Improvements in the Pipeline

A £150,000 project to improve the gas supply in Burntwood is due to start at the end of this month.  On 30 July 2007, work will start on the renewal of approximately 450 metres of old cast iron gas main that runs along Rugeley Road. 

The work will be carried out in three stages starting with the replacement of a 30 metre section of pipe lying north of Victory Avenue. This will be followed with the replacement of a 100 metre section between the junctions of Redwood Drive and Cross Street.

During this work, Rugeley Road will be closed to through traffic and a diversion will be in place via Cannock Road, Ironstone Road and High Street.

This work has been planned to be completed during the summer school holidays to reduce disruption to road users and take full advantage of the school break.

After this has been completed the third and final section of 285 metres of pipe that runs north from the High Street and Spinney Lane junction will be replaced.  This work will be carried out under a separate road closure which will come into force on 10 September  for six weeks.  During this time Rugeley Road will be closed to through traffic between the High Street and Spinney Lane junction and Severns Road.  In addition, Chorley Road will be closed at its junction with Rugeley Road.  Traffic will be diverted via High Street, Iron Stone Road and Severns Road. 

The whole project is expected to be completed by 20 October 2007.

Steve Mullock, National Grid’s project manager said:  ‘This work is a major investment in the safety and reliability of the gas network in this area and will greatly reduce the need for future maintenance work which can sometimes be disruptive.  We have worked closely with Staffordshire County Council while planning the project in a bid to reduce the disruption to motorists and ensure the safety of road users and pedestrians.  We realise the work will cause some inconvenience but I ask the public to bear with us while we carry out this essential job.’

The work will be carried out on behalf of National Grid by Enterprise PLC and is part of the company's 30 year programme to improve the safety and reliability of the gas supply network.

Ends

For further information contact Jane Taylor, National Grid Communications on 07785 220647

National Grid
National Grid is one of the world's largest utilities, focused on delivering energy safely, reliably, efficiently and responsibly. Our principal interests are in the transmission and distribution of electricity and gas in the UK and US.

We own and operate over 6,800 kilometres of high-pressure transmission pipeline across Great Britain, and 132,000 kilometres of lower-pressure distribution gas mains in the North West, the Midlands, East Anglia and North London – more than half of Britain's gas transportation network, delivering gas to around 11 million homes, offices and factories.

We operate the high-voltage electricity transmission network across Great Britain, and own the network in England and Wales.

National Grid will continue to manage the National Gas Emergency Service freephone line 0800 111 999*.

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