The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £2.5m to upgrade the ageing gas distribution network in and around Leeds Road and St Andrews Road, Huddersfield.
The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure in Huddersfield and will involve replacing around 3km of existing metal gas mains with more durable plastic pipes, to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the area for years to come.
The ageing pipes, some of which are nearly 100 years old, have required several emergency repairs in recent years. NGN has prioritised them for replacement this year to minimise any future inconvenience.
The work on Leeds Road, which will begin on Tuesday 2 May and is due for completion in June 2018, has been planned in conjunction with Kirklees Council to ensure the scheme is completed with as little disruption as possible.
A customer drop-in session will be taking place at Canalside Sports Complex, 509 Leeds Road, Huddersfield HD2 1YJ on Thursday 27 April between 11.30am and 5pm. Customers are welcome to call in and meet the NGN Customer Care team, who will be able to provide further information and answer any questions customers may have about this project.
The work will be carried out in phases in order to minimise disruption to customers.
Phase One will begin on Tuesday 2 May directly outside the Superbowl on Leeds Road and progress down to the junction of Bradley Mills Lane. This phase is anticipated to last approximately 18 weeks.
During this time the cycle lane on Leeds Road will be closed, while the footpath directly outside the Superbowl and along Leeds Road will also be closed, with alternative pedestrian walkways and crossings provided.
Phase Two will begin on St Andrews Road on 22 May and last around 20 weeks. Works will start directly outside the Ford and Skoda garages and move towards Thistle Street.
As this phase progresses, it will be necessary to introduce traffic management measures, more details of which will provided nearer the time.
Details on the works involved during Phase Three will be provided later in the year.
Engineers will be working from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 4.30pm and NGN will continue to provide updates as the project progresses.
Paul Jagger, Construction Services Area Manager Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Kirklees Council to carefully plan these works to coincide with their resurfacing scheme due to take place on Leeds Road next year and minimise any disruption to customers.
“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these works, and thank our customers for their patience and support in getting them completed as quickly as possible.”
For further information about the project please contact NGN’s Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766 or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk
Anyone that smells gas or suspects Carbon Monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.