Major gas pipe project
MAJOR works on underground gas mains in Burscough are set to take place from April 4, and will take around six months to complete.
Cadent, which manages the local gas network, is calling time on 2,000-metres of gas pipes that run beneath Liverpool Road South and Lordsgate Lane that date back to the 1950s and are beginning to show signs of their age.
Engineers have carried out repairs on this part of the network nearly 30 times in last five years, each time leading to significant traffic issues, and they now say the solution is to upgrade the underground pipes.
The metallic gas mains are being upgraded as part of an £800m investment by Cadent in the North West over the next five years. The programme prepares the network for a move from fossil gases to hydrogen which is essential for a ‘net zero’ future.
As well as the big main in the road, the engineers will also replace the individual service pipes that carry gas into 160 properties. They say they will ensure gas stays on throughout the project, aside from one day where all 160 will have their gas turned off as they connect into the new pipes. Advance notice of this switch off will be given and gas will be restored the same day.
Work will be divided into short sections which allows roads to stay open and travel to continue in both directions with traffic light controls in place. Cadent advise budgeting extra time for journeys, especially at peak times, or to consider using alternative routes to avoid disruption.
Craig Horrocks, Head of Cadent’s North West Investment Planning Office, said: “Our job is to keep gas flowing to heat homes, schools, offices and many other buildings in the local area, as well as future-proof the network ready for hydrogen.
“This part of the network has operated for more than 70 years.
“We’ve become too frequent a visitor in recent years, with our teams carrying out essential repairs.
“This upgrade will bring an end to that, ensuring everyone gets a safe, reliable supply well into the future. We appreciate this means another period of disruption and will maintain a work area that ensures the road can stay open both ways, with traffic lights.”
The project will involve pipes being replaced under Lordsgate Lane and Liverpool Road South, from the junction of Lordsgate Lane to near
Meadowbrook and Springfield Close.
In total, around 2,000 metres of pipe will be worked on - which is the same length as 20 full-sized football pitches.