The final phase of a major project to replace a one-kilometre section of gas pipeline under the A592 Rayrigg Road, Windermere, begins early in January.
Cadent, which manages the local gas network, decided to call time on a metallic pipe that has been helping keep local homes warm since 1953.
Installing a ‘bypass’ before beginning work in October meant Cadent kept gas flowing throughout these colder winter months, with an uninterrupted supply to heat homes, a local church and other buildings.
The teams are now preparing to start the final phase of the project on 2nd January and plan to complete by the end of the month.
This phase requires the closure of the northbound lane of the A592 Rayrigg Road, starting from just after the Windermere Lake Viewpoint Car Park, to the roundabout at the junction with Ambleside Road. Traffic will be diverted through Windermere. The lane heading south – towards Bowness – stays open to vehicles.
Old metallic gas mains like these are being upgraded as part of an £800m investment by Cadent in its North West network over five years.
As well as keeping people warm today – the majority of local homes have gas central heating – this programme is helping to get the network ready for the introduction of cleaner alternatives to fossil gas, which is essential for a ‘net zero’ future.
Records indicate that some sections of this pipeline were installed in 1953 and it is now showing signs of its age – with repairs and maintenance, and associated traffic disruption, increasing in frequency in recent years.
Mark Syers, Head of Investment Planning Office (North West), Cadent, said: “Our job is to keep gas flowing to heat homes, schools, offices and many other buildings in the local area, as well as future-proof the network ready for greener gases.
“This part of the network has operated for 70 years. We’ve become too frequent a visitor in recent years, with our teams carrying out essential repairs.
“This upgrade will bring an end to that, ensuring everyone gets a safe, reliable supply well into the future.
“We appreciate this means another period of disruption, and our teams will work as quickly as they safely can to complete the work.”
When adding the necessary ‘bypass’ to the network back in October half-term, to keep gas flowing while the old pipe is replaced, we soon realised that work would have to take place further into the carriageway than had been anticipated. This led to considerable congestion and Cadent would like to apologise for that.
Customers with questions about this work can contact the team by:
Phone: 0800 090 3071
Email: CustomerCareNW@cadentgas.com
Online: https://cadentgas.com/contactus/contact-form
If you smell gas during this work, nearby or anywhere, always ring the national gas emergency service immediately, day or night, on 0800 111 999*. Do not delay, or assume it is related to this work. It may not be and must be checked.
Cadent’s North West network includes Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester, as well as parts of Cumbria and Derbyshire.
Beneath this region – under roads, footpaths and fields – are more than 34,000km of gas distribution pipes. These carry gas to 2.7 million homes, hospitals, schools, offices and other sites – for heat, hot water, cooking and industrial uses. If placed end to end, they’d reach Sydney, Australia, and come back again.
Cadent manages this extensive network, as well as gas networks for Eastern England, West Midlands and North London. It is responsible for ensuring the network is operating safely and reliably, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Cadent will invest more than £3.4bn over the next five years (including more than £800m in the North West area) to maintain this network and get it ready for the arrival soon of greener, lower-carbon gases.
Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy. We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change. Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency. Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing.
Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.
Cadent manages the national gas emergency service free phone line on behalf of the gas industry - 0800 111 999*
Cadent Gas Ltd is owned by a consortium of global investors.
*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.
0797 069 4897
