National Grid is replacing nearly 300 metres of gas mains in Heywood in two separate projects as part of a multi-million pound package of improvements to the gas supply system in Greater Manchester.
The company, the UK’s biggest utility, will be replacing metallic mains with modern plastic ones which have a lifespan of at least 80 years, if left undisturbed once they are in the ground.
The mains renewal work in Heywood is part of a national programme of work developed in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In all, 15,000km of mains will be replaced by National Grid over the next eight years at a cost of around £1.6bn.
To carry out the work in this area, National Grid has entered into a partnership with Balfour Beatty to form an alliance. During 2005/6, the alliance will replace 385km of mains in Greater Manchester at a cost of £48m.
Neil Johnson, Alliance Manager said: “In the North West, National Grid owns and operates 36,000km of gas mains which deliver gas to 2.7m homes and businesses. These mains tend to be concentrated in the areas of greatest population because this is where there is the greatest demand for gas.
“Work by our engineers will cause some disruption to residents and road users but the safety and security of the gas supply system has to remain our top priority.
Work in Bury Street gets underway on 17 October and will take two weeks to complete. In all, 30 metres of gas mains will be replaced, but the work is taking place on a busy road junction. As a result, temporary traffic lights will be in operation on Bury Street between North Street and Hamer Street, opposite The Crown public house for the duration of the work.
The second project will see 260 metres of gas main replaced at the junction of Rochdale Road, Rochdale Road East and York Street on both sides of the road. Work will start at the end of October and will take six weeks to complete.
Temporary traffic lights will be in operation on York Street and Rochdale Road East at the junction with Rochdale Road. In addition, Aspinall Street will be closed to traffic at the junction with York Street.
Neil Johnson added: “We understand that people get frustrated by work carried out by utility companies but the gas, water and electricity supplies we rely on don’t arrive in our homes by magic. There is a vast network of pipes, mains and cables in place to deliver them to us and these have to be maintained.
“We would urge people to have patience with us whilst we carry out these essential works – there will be short term disruption, but it will produce a long term safe and reliable gas supply.”
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PICTURE CAPTION
Neil Johnson, Alliance Manager pictured with just a few metres of the many kilometres of main to be replaced across Greater Manchester this year.
Notes to Editors:
National Grid is a leading international energy infrastructure business - the largest utility in the UK.
Through National Grid Gas plc (formerly Transco), it owns and operates 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. National Grid sold the four gas distribution networks covering the rest of Britain to other companies in June 2005.
Through National Grid Electricity Transmission plc, the company operates the high-voltage electricity transmission network across Great Britain, and owns the network in England and Wales.
Balfour Beatty plc
Balfour Beatty serves the international markets for rail, road, utility systems, buildings and complex structures. Balfour Beatty aims to create shareholder value by providing engineering, construction and service skills to customers for whom infrastructure quality and reliability are critical.
For further information, please contact Jeanette Jackson, National Grid press officer on 07785 290230.