Gas mains renewal in Nantwich

28/07/2009

National Grid, the UK’s largest utility, is planning to renew 90 metres of gas mains in Nantwich as part of a £94m package of improvements to the North West’s gas supply network.

The project to complete the final stage of the replacement of the cast iron main running through the pedestrian area of the High Street between Hospital Street, Mill Street and the Church Yard Side will begin on 18 August and will take approximately six weeks to complete. 

In order to keep disruption to a minimum the new pipe will be inserted through the old one, reducing the amount of digging needed and speeding up the work. 

Operations Manager Craig Horrocks said: “The gas pipes which run beneath the streets of Nantwich 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.

“We will do everything we can to make sure that local businesses can continue to operate as normal.”

The mains being replaced are a vital part of the local gas supply system.  Work will be carried out by Enterprise, working in partnership with National Grid, as part of an investment of over £2 billion a year in National Grid’s gas and electricity networks in the UK. 

Craig added: “We apologise for any disruption but we are asking local people to 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.”

Ends

For further media information contact Jeanette Unsworth, National Grid Media Relations on 01926 655372

Notes to Editors:

National Grid
National Grid is an international electricity and gas company and one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. We play a vital role in delivering gas and electricity to millions of people across Great Britain and northeastern US in an efficient, reliable and safe manner. We believe the power of action can play a major role in safeguarding our global environment for future generations and tackling the effects of climate change, providing all our customers with the highest standards of service through network investment and through our talented, diverse workforce.

National Grid owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales and operates the system across Great Britain. It also owns and operates the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain and its distribution business delivers gas to 11 million homes and businesses.

National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service freephone line 0800 111 999*.  

*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.