Wolverhampton: road closure in place as urgent work begins to replace 100 metres of underground gas pipe

• Cadent engineers take urgent action to control leak on gas pipe under Elliotts Lane in the Codsall / Bilbrook area of Wolverhampton
• Road closure will ensure safety of teams working in the road and pedestrians (including school children) as they cross it
• No impact expected on local gas supply, with work to replace a 100-metre section expected to continue for several weeks

Engineers from local gas network Cadent have begun work to replace a 100-metre section of underground gas pipe in Wolverhampton, after a leak was identified.

Investigations carried out through the festive period confirmed a full replacement was needed of a large section of pipe under Elliotts Lane, between Codsall and Bilbrook.

Monitored regularly and under control, gas readings started to rise over recent days, leading Cadent to move in immediately to ensure everyone’s safety.

Elliotts Lane is now closed to through traffic, both ways, between its junctions with Glen Court and Yew Tree Gardens. Access to homes along this section of road is maintained, as well as routes into schools, the leisure centre and other amenities.

There should be no impact to gas supply in the local area.

“We are conscious we are in close proximity to the leisure centre and several local schools, so want to minimise disruption as much as we can,” said Allan Griffiths, Head of Customer Operations, West Midlands.

“Safety is always our number one priority and there is no alternative way of doing this work safely without closing this part of Elliotts Lane.

“Our teams will work as quickly as they safely can to replace this large section of gas pipe, and we appreciate everyone’s patience while we get this completed.”

If you smell gas

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 in the West Midlands

Cadent operates four of the UK’s eight gas distribution networks: North West, West Midlands, Eastern and North London. Its West Midlands network covers a wide area from North Staffordshire to Herefordshire, reaching the M1 in the East and the Welsh borders on the West.

Hundreds of engineers and support teams ensure 24/7, year-round management of an underground piped gas distribution network which, if placed end to end, stretches to more than 15,000 miles. That’s almost 4.5 times the distance from West Midlands to New York.

Cadent also provides the region’s gas emergency service, with operatives ready to respond quickly, day and night, to reported gas escapes or carbon monoxide incidents, or to support the blue-light emergency services dealing with incidents where gas is present (e.g. house fires).

Over the next five years, Cadent will invest £288million to upgrade older gas mains in the West Midlands’ network. These pipes safely, reliably and out-of-sight (underground) distribute gas that keeps people warm in their homes.

This West Midlands Network is playing a huge role in helping to switch the gas grid away from fossil fuels, with Cadent, Keele University and other partners recently completing a UK-first trial of blending hydrogen into the existing gas pipe network. Using hydrogen in this blended way is a key step to converting the UK-wide system – essential to achieving net zero carbon emissions.