National Grid, the UK’s largest utility, will be working in Old Hall Street in Liverpool for two weeks from Thursday 16 April to connect two sections of newly-laid gas pipeline.
The project will involve two excavations at the junction of Chapel Street and Old Hall Street, and forms part of a £94m package of improvements to the North West’s gas supply network. Gas supplies to the area will not be affected.
To carry out the work safely a number of traffic management measures have been agreed with the local highways authority.
Old Hall Street will be closed at its junction with Chapel Street with traffic being diverted along Edmond Street, turning right into Bixteth Street.
Chapel Street will be closed from the junction of Rumford Place and traffic will be diverted along New Quay onto King Edward Street.
Operations Manager Craig Horrocks said: “The gas pipes which run beneath the streets of Liverpool 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 keep traffic moving while we are working and also to make sure 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. In the North West alone, £94m will be spent this year on replacing 615km of gas mains.
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.”
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For further media information contact Jeanette Unsworth or Carol Lloyd, National Grid Communications on 01926 655372