Disruption as £640k gas pipe work due to start 1,000 metres of tubes to be replaced after more than 90 years of use
TEMPORARY traffic lights will be in place on a main road for four months as one of the town’s oldest gas main lines is replaced.
The major project will see 1,000 metres of gas piping underneath Sussex Road replaced after supplying Southport for more than 90 years.
Engineers from Cadent are set to begin works on the £640,000 project in early November and expect to finish in March. Cadent, which manages the North West’s 21,000-mile underground gas network, say the work will end increasingly frequent visits and associated roadworks
Thanks to advances in new technology, there is only expected to be minimal disruption to gas supply in the area, thought approximately 60 homes will have their supply cut for one day.
Due to the complex engineering required to decommission and replace the old pipe, and to make sure everyone is kept safe while carrying out the work, the full project will run for around four months.
Sussex Road will remain open to traffic throughout the duration, with temporary traffic lights controlling the safe movement of vehicles around the on-site engineers.
Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s cabinet member for locality services, said: “This is yet another example of great partnership work between Cadent and our highways network team at Sefton Council.
“There should be no interruption to local supplies, except for 60 properties along the road that will temporarily lose supply for less than a day.
“We have made sure access will remain to all properties and businesses, which can stay open with minimal disruption.
“Ourselves and our partners remain committed to ensuring Sefton soon becomes a net zero emissions borough and to that end plans are at an advanced stage to introduce green gases like hydrogen to the gas network soon.”
Craig Horrocks, who heads Cadent’s gas mains replacement programme in North West England, said: “This is an old pipe, a workhorse of the gas network installed some 90 years ago.
“It is though starting to show signs of its age and must now be replaced to ensure safety and reliability.”
He added: “We’ve worked closely with Sefton Council to come up with a plan that minimises the inevitable disruption that happens with major engineering work like this.
“We know it’s not ideal and I really appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we get this essential work done.”