New bridge pipeline is cooking with gas
Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Gavin Newlands was on hand to help turn on the gas for a 2km long pipeline under the River Clyde.
The Paisley MP was joined by West Dunbartonshire MP Martin Docherty-Hughes at a ceremony marking the completion of the challenging project by gas giant SGN at Erskine Bridge.
The new pipeline replaces two 1.5km pipelines previously suspended under the Erskine Bridge.
Maintaining the existing pipelines had become both costly and time -consuming for both SGN and the Scottish Government therefore the decision was taken to remove the pipes from the bridge and design a replacement pipeline.
Following the appointment of main contractor J Murphy & Sons Ltd, construction work got underway in March 2018 and, as part of the overall project, there were four main sites at Lusset Park, St Patrick’s RC Church, Old Kilpatrick, Boden Boo community woodland and Erskine Hospital.
Horizontal directional drilling was used as the new pipeline stretched from St Patrick’s Church in Old Kilpatrick to Mar Hall Golf Club.
Gavin Newlands MP said:“As the son of a former gas board fitter I was very proud to open the new gas pipeline beneath the River Clyde with my good friend and neighbouring MP for West Dunbartonshire Martin Docherty-Hughes.
“The project has been a real feat of engineering and I was deeply impressed at the skill involved by all concerned in the delivery of the project.
“The Erskine Bridge is approaching its 50th birthday and is not only a hugely important transport link on the West Coast but a hugely recognisable landmark in its own right.
“However, not many people knew that their gas supply was delivered by the bridge also.
“Replacing these half-century old pipes will ensure a reliable supply of Gas for residents on both sides of the Clyde for decades to come.”