Over 19,000m of old gas pipes to be upgraded

Over 19,000 metres of gas pipes are to be upgraded in the Rochdale borough in the next 12 months.

The programme confirmed for April 2021 to March 2022 comprises 485,178 metres of the North West’s oldest gas mains – including 19,044m in Rochdale – some of which were installed over 100 years ago. 

Every year, Cadent replaces around 300 to 350 miles of its 21,000-mile North West underground pipe distribution system. These are mostly ageing metallic mains nearing the natural end of their safe operating lives.

Upgrading to plastic ensures a long-term safe network and helps get it ready for the introduction of greener gases like hydrogen and biomethane, which are both essential to the UK achieving net zero carbon emissions.

Cadent has been working with the highways authorities to agree the best and least disruptive timings to carry out these essential upgrades.

Letters are sent to properties in the vicinity of the work areas in the weeks leading up to start dates.

The programme will factor in, and seek to avoid clashing with, any major events that may take place once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

“More than 80 per cent of homes in the North West rely on gas for central heating and it’s our job to make sure they get it, safely and reliably, every minute of every day of the year,” said Craig Horrocks, who heads Cadent’s gas mains upgrade work in the region.

“We’re also excited by the arrival soon of hydrogen to our networks, a zero-carbon gas at point of use, as well as low-carbon biomethane, a gas made from waste.

“Both are essential to the UK reaching its goal to have net zero carbon emissions.

“As our older stock reaches the end of its safe working life, we must replace it.

“In most cases we’re able to insert the new pipe into the old one, a technique that reduces the time of each project and means we don’t have to dig as many excavations.

“It also means an end to what often becomes increasingly-frequent visits – with associated disruption – to repair faults on the older metallic mains, as they start to show signs of age.

“We know it’s not ideal, but my team is determined to move as quickly as they safely can and get the work done with as little disruption as possible.”

Start dates for the remaining works will be agreed through 2021/22.

Gas remains ON throughout the work, although in some cases properties that take a direct feed from the pipe being replaced will lose supply for up to 12 hours, as their building is connected in to the new main. Everyone is given advance notice of this and customer teams will be available to answer any questions.