Gas pipe replacement closes road for month
A BUSY road in Widnes will be shut in one direction for more than a month to replace and future-proof gas pipes as part of ‘essential’ work.
Commuters using Deacon Road heading towards the town centre between Appleton Village and Albert Road will be diverted as gas network Cadent changes 300m of mains metal pipes.
The work – beginning on Monday, January 29 – will shut one lane to traffic for 45 days.
Motorists will still be able to travel west away from Widnes town centre on Deacon Road.
For the final 15 days of the project, work will also be taking place in Albert Road and means this route will be closed then.
It is the last section of the network which needs upgrading in Widnes town centre with the durable new plastic pipe ensuring a reliable and low maintenance gas supply for at least 80 years.
Letters have been sent to every property directly affected by the works and customer teams have been speaking to residents and business owners to explain the work and understand if there are any issues to be aware of.
Steve Murray who heads Cadent’s mains replacement programme said: “The gas pipes beneath the streets of Widnes deliver gas safely, day and night, so people can heat their homes and cook meals, as well as helping to power business.
“The upgrade of metal pipe to durable plastic in Deacon Road will ensure we can keep that energy flowing, safely and reliably, until at least the end of the century.
“It is essential work. The pipe sits directly under Deacon Road, and our absolute priority is to ensure safety of residents, motorists and our workers.
“We’ve worked closely with Halton Council for several months to plan this project and agree the temporary change to traffic arrangements.”
Teams will work seven days a week to complete the scheme as soon as possible.
The project is part of a £77.5m investment by Cadent in 2017-18 to upgrade around 500km of gas mains pipes across the North West.
Cadent is the UK’s biggest gas network.
The project customer team can be reached on 0161 703 1000. ●