Manchester: installing new gas equipment deep beneath a city centre street

A project to install essential gas equipment deep under Water Street, in Manchester city centre, is under way.

Cadent, which manages the local gas distribution network, has had to act to make sure there is enough gas to meet growing demand in the local area.

The underground gas network carries gas into buildings, where it is used to provide warmth in winter, as well as for hot water and cooking.

Recent expansion and developments in this area of the city meant urgent action had to be taken to maintain a supply of gas to everyone who wants it.

To achieve this, Cadent will install a new ‘governor’ beneath Water Street and connect it into the existing pipe system.

Gas governors manage the reduction of pressures – this one from medium pressure to low pressure – for safe use by customers.

Cadent’s teams have already created a three-metre-deep excavation in the footpath, ready for the arrival of the governor and associated pipes.
 

Starting next week (30^th October), two-way traffic lights will be in place, as the work area will start to encroach onto the road.

From 3^rd November, until around 14^th November, Water Street will be closed to through traffic – with a diversion route signposted.

All businesses remain open and access to car parks will be maintained.

Following this, the road will reopen again, under traffic lights, until the conclusion of work in December.

“We’re carrying out this work to keep gas safely flowing into all the local buildings in the area,” explained Mark Syers, Cadent’s Head of Investment Planning (North West).

“While there will be a period of disruption to traffic, I’m hoping people understand this is critical work.”

Gas stays ON – there should be no interruption to supply during the work.

Contacting Cadent about this project

Customers with questions about this work can contact the team by:

Phone: 0800 090 3071

Email: CustomerCareNW@cadentgas.com

Online: https://cadentgas.com/contact-us/contact-form-nw

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’s related to this work. It may not be and must be checked.

Cadent in the North West

Cadent operates four of the UK’s eight gas distribution networks – North West England, West Midlands, Eastern England and North London.

Its North West network stretches from the Lake District to Crewe and is home to 21,000 miles of distribution pipes (most of them underground) and hundreds of above ground installations. If placed end to end, that amount of pipes would stretch from Manchester to Sydney, Australia, and back again.

Around £800m will be invested in the North West’s gas network over the next five years. This will maintain safe, secure supplies to homes, hospitals, schools, offices and other sites, as well as support the UK journey to net zero carbon emissions.

Backed by Cadent and many partners, the North West region is set to lead the way in a major shift from fossil gases to hydrogen. Producing only heat and water at point of use, hydrogen is key to the UK’s net zero future and is set to be introduced at volume in the North West during the next decade.