Major work template page

We always aim to keep businesses, customers, motorists and the media updated on any major planned work in their area. We send letters to people whose homes are affected, and door knock every property. Sometimes we organise community drop in events for customers and the wider community to ask any questions and discuss the project in more detail.  We use clever technology such as underground cameras to assess the condition of pipes, prioritise work and keep digging to a minimum whenever we can, but it isn’t always possible.  

Some on street parking may be restricted, but you’ll be able to access your garage or driveway at all times unless previously agreed with you. We may take up a bit of road space or on the verge as a site storage area for our equipment, and we’ll restore any areas that we’ve disturbed as quickly as possible after the project is finished. 

The last thing we want to do is cause any unnecessary stress, so call our Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766 or speak to one of our engineers on site and we’ll try our best to put special arrangements in place for you. 

We have to go into every property and test all the gas appliances to check they’re safe when turning the gas back on.  If your gas is off because of planned pipe upgrade work, we’ll do everything we can to get it back on by tea-time, but it may take a little longer. If you’re not at home when we call we’ll leave a contact card so that you can get in touch and arrange for an engineer to come out as soon as possible.   

We have a commitment to fill holes and restore areas of tarmac, paving or grass we’ve disturbed, matching it as close as we can to the original.  New surfaces may take a while to blend with older, more weathered areas, so please bear this in mind.  We’ll aim to have everything back to normal within five working days of your gas going back on. If you have a path or driveway made of specialist or hard-to-source materials, such as printed concrete, this may take slightly longer.  

The work we do is important to keep your gas supply flowing and communities safe.  We will work hard to try and keep the impact on your trade as small as possible.

If your business relies on customers visiting the affected premises to trade, and you’ve lost money as a result of our work, you may be able to claim compensation. 

All loss of business claims will be dealt with in accordance with the Gas (Street Works) (Compensation of Small Businesses) Regulations 1996.

Visit northerngasnetworks.co.uk/getintouch to find out more and how to claim. 

Sometimes we need to use temporary traffic lights, divert local bus routes or close a road to keep the public and our engineers safe while we’re working. We’ll always let you know well in advance if this is the case.

National Grid is responsible for ensuring the national gas pipeline system is kept in balance. It ensures a balanced system by buying and selling gas and using stored gas to ensure that in most normal circumstances, demand can be met.  

Usually the system is balanced by gas bought on the open market through the ‘On the Day Commodity Market (OCM)’ set up as part of the Network Code, the rules that govern the supply of gas. National Grid also has gas in store (the so called Top-up and Operating Margins gas) to ensure the system is balanced and that supplies are maintained. 

Since 1990, network companies have invested around £100 billion in the national and local grids, operating one of the most reliable networks in Europe. That’s nearly £4,000 invested for every household. 

The rise in wholesale gas prices will not affect the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers and the UK Government is confident that there are sufficient resources to meet energy demand. 

There are protections in place to ensure there is no interruption to gas or electricity supply if your energy supplier goes out of businesses. 

If your energy supplier ceases trading you will be transferred to a new supplier automatically.   Take a meter read (if possible) so that you can give this to your new supplier. 

You can find out more about the consumer protections that are in place here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/news-and-views/blog/how-youre-protected-when-energy-firms-collapse 

If you are concerned about the current situation, contact your energy supplier, or the energy regulator, Ofgem – www.ofgem.gov.uk 

Customers on a fixed deal won’t see a change to their tariff or unit rate until their deal comes to an end, unless their supplier ceases trading. 

If your supplier goes out of business your new supplier will put you on a new tariff which might be more expensive than your old one. 

You can switch if you’re not happy with your new supplier or tariff. You can do this without paying an exit fee.  However, because many energy suppliers are struggling, you won’t find as many tariffs as normal. 

Other customers who may see an immediate increase to the unit rate are those whose fixed rate tariff is now coming to an end as they will have to find a new deal – many of which are much higher than in previous months. 

The energy price cap allows energy suppliers to pass on all reasonable costs to customers, including increases in the cost of buying gas. 

The energy price cap will increase from 1 April 2022 for approximately 22 million customers.  Those on default tariffs paying by direct debit will see an increase of £693 from £1,277 to £1,971 per year (difference due to rounding).  Prepayment customers will see an increase of £708 from £1,309 to £2,017.* 

This increase is driven by a record rise in global gas prices, with wholesale prices quadrupling in 2021. 

The price cap is updated twice and year and tracks wholesale energy and other costs.  

*All figures according to Ofgem, February 2022 

Energy suppliers are working with Government and Ofgem on measures to manage the situation and support customers. 

If you’re struggling to afford your energy bills, you might be able to take advantage of certain benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers. Citizens Advice have lots of helpful information on their website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/ 

Alternatively you can call their consumer helpline which gives free, impartial advice to people who are worried about their energy costs and staying warm during winter. 

Making simple changes to your home to make it more energy efficient can save hundreds of pounds on your energy bills every year whilst helping the environment.  Our guide to saving money, reducing waste and staying safe at home is packed full of helpful advice and tips about how to save money on your gas, electricity and water bills whilst helping the environment. You can download it from our website.  Just search ‘Energy at Home’ 

Wholesale gas prices have increased due to a number of reasons, primarily a global gas shortage caused by depleted stocks following a cold winter last winter, reduced supply from overseas, and increased demand for liquefied natural gas from the Far East. 

This has been compounded by a lower output from renewable sources such as solar power and wind, due to a windless summer, creating more reliance on gas. 

The situation emphasises why it is so important that we invest in a flexible, interconnected, zero-carbon energy system including a hydrogen economy reliant on domestic production to protect us from fluctuations on the international energy markets.  This will help protect the long-term reliability of UK energy supplies today, and for generations to come. 

During the global pandemic, energy networks have worked with the energy regulator, Ofgem, at pace to bring forward over £300m of investment which will unlock Net Zero projects in the UK and secure a Green Recovery.