Improvements in the pipeline for Shropshire town

29/06/2009

A major £1million scheme to improve the gas network in Shifnal is due to start shortly.

The project will see around 40 roads across the town have their old metal mains replaced with new hard-wearing plastic pipe to ensure residents continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply.

Work is due to start on Monday 13 July and is expected to take around six months to complete, during which time around eight miles of pipe will be replaced.

The new pipe will be inserted through the old one wherever possible.  This reduces considerably the amount of digging needed, which speeds up the work and lessens disruption. 

National Grid project manager Kevin Williams said: “These old metal mains have come to the end of their working life and need to be renewed.  We will be replacing them with a new plastic pipe that, once in the ground, will last for up to 80 years with little or no maintenance.

“Unfortunately road works are disruptive for residents and motorists but we will do everything we can to keep the traffic flowing and any inconvenience to a minimum.”

The work is being carried out by the West Midlands Gas Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and leading utilities company Morgan Est.  The project is part of National Grid’s 30-year programme to improve the safety and reliability of the gas supply network by replacing all metal gas pipes that lie within 30 metres of property.

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For further media information contact Jane Taylor. National Grid Communications on 0121 333 2640

Notes to Editors:

National Grid
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