Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the gas distributer for the north of England, has launched its first urban Warm Hubs scheme at St Paul’s Centre in Newcastle, supporting vulnerable customers living in fuel poverty.

The event, led by NGN in partnership with Together Newcastle, follows the huge success of a pilot project in rural Northumberland, which provided vulnerable and elderly residents with a place to get warm, enjoy a hot meal and meet friends.

The rural scheme now has 11 sites in place at centres across the county, which have supported 1,740 people and helped realise £818,000 in benefits so far.

St Paul’s Centre, which is based at Willington Quay became home to the first official urban Warm Hub, with plans now in place to open a further seven hubs in Newcastle this year before the scheme is further rolled out across northern England.

Fuel poverty is a problem throughout Newcastle, with 13% of households in the city estimated to be living in fuel poor conditions according to a 2016 survey. The Warm Hubs scheme aims to support those living in fuel poverty by offering energy advice as well as somewhere warm to socialise with friends.

Stephen Ramshaw, Community Minister for St Paul’s Centre said: “The recent event at St Paul’s was a brilliant way to launch the Warm Hubs project in the city, with people visiting for some food, warmth, and advice on keeping their energy bills down.”

Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy for Northern Gas Networks, said: “Fuel poverty is a huge problem throughout our region but it’s great to see the lessons learned through our rural Warm Hubs benefitting our first urban Warm Hub at St Paul’s.

“This will be the first of what NGN and Together Newcastle hope will be a growing programme of urban Warm Hubs, and I look forward to the success of this project and to helping a greater diversity of communities through the Warm Hubs.”

“Many people don’t realise they are eligible for a free or discounted connection, so we hope these events will allow us to find more people eligible for free gas connections, or supply energy efficiency advice.”

Steve Forster, Development Worker for Together Newcastle added: “I’m delighted to be working with NGN and excited to be part of rolling out this initiative within communities across Newcastle and North Tyneside.

“Warm Hubs are a simple and effective way of bringing people together who otherwise may become isolated and lonely, and struggling a bit with heating their homes; they also provide a great opportunity for community groups and churches to make use of their buildings.

“As more Warm Hubs become established we hope to see local communities and people flourish and thrive.”

If you think you are eligible for a free or discounted gas connection, visit www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk./yourconnections

The north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £200,000 to upgrade the ageing gas distribution network in and around Stanley Road, Wakefield.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing 1.5km 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 project, which will begin on Monday 3 April and last approximately 17 weeks with an estimated completion date of 24 July, has been planned in conjunction with Wakefield Council to ensure all works are completed with as little disruption as possible.

The work being carried out is the final phase of an NGN project which began in 2015.

Works will be completed on a street by street basis on Stanley Road, Upper Warrengate, Park Lodge Lane, Park Lodge Grove, Back Mount Pleasant, Back Grantley Street, Grantley Street, Trilby Street and Earl Street.

To allow engineers to complete the works safely and efficiently, the following traffic management measures will be in place for the first seven weeks of the works.

Two-way temporary traffic lights will be placed on Stanley Road, while three-way temporary lights will be introduced at the junction of Stanley Street, the junction of Greenwood Road, and the junction of Upper Warrengate/Peterson Road.

Four-way temporary lights will be placed at the junction of Upper Warrengate/Peterson Road and Park Lodge Lane.

All temporary signals will be manually operated during peak times however the lights will only be in place while work is being carried out on the corresponding streets.

As Stanley Road is a bus route, some delays to journey times are expected due to the traffic management measures in place, and temporary bus stops will be introduced.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and engineers will be working Monday to

Friday between 8am and 5pm, with occasional weekends when required.

A public meeting is planned to take place on Thursday 30^th March, between 4pm-6pm at Trinity Methodist church, Norton Road, Wakefield WF1 3SH.  The meeting is an opportunity for residents to meet the NGN team and ask any questions they may have about the scheme.

Josh Hampshire, Construction Services Area Manager at Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Wakefield Council to carefully plan these works in order to minimise any disruption caused.

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these works, and would like to thank you for your patience and support in getting these works completed as quickly as possible.”

For further information about the project please contact NGN’s Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766, option 7 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.

The north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £300,000 to upgrade the ageing gas distribution network in Fall Lane, Sowerby Bridge.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure in the area and will involve refurbishing 50m of existing metal gas pipes to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the area for years to come.

The project, which will begin on Monday 3 April and last around 10 weeks with an estimated completion date of 9 June, has been planned in conjunction with Network Rail due to the location and complexity of the scheme.

In order to complete the works, it will be necessary to cross over a section of Network Rail’s apparatus. This phase of works will be completed during a period that is convenient for Network Rail.

So engineers can carry out the work safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to have a full road closure on Fall Lane. This will be in place from Monday 3 April for the full duration of the works.

The bridge will be closed to traffic and pedestrians throughout the project, while access to Milner Royd Lane will be maintained for Network Rail.

Northern Gas Networks have liaised closely with Calderdale Council to plan the traffic management, and a  clearly signed alternative diversion route will be provided for all motorists.

It’s anticipated there will be no delays to bus services.

Engineers will be working Monday to Sunday from 7.30am to 5.30pm with some night shift activity taking place when required, as agreed with Network Rail.

A public meeting to discuss the works will take place on Wednesday 29^th March between 7.30 and 9.30pm at Norland C of E (VC) Junior and Infant School, Berry Moor Road, Norland, HX6 3RN.  Residents are welcome to come along to the meeting to meet the NGN Customer Care team, learn more about the works and ask any questions they may have.

Vaughan Crawford, Project Lead for Northern Gas Networks said: “We have carefully planned these works in order to arrange a date and duration that best fits the schedule of Network Rail.  We will do all we can to keep disruption to a minimum whilst these works take place.

“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, option 7 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.

The north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £33,000 to upgrade the ageing metal gas distribution network in and around St Stephens Road, Leeds.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing 200m 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 project, which will begin on Monday 3 April and last around two weeks with an estimated completion date of 17 April, has been planned in conjunction with Leeds City Council to ensure all works are completed with as little disruption as possible.

Works will take place on Beckett Street, Accomodation Road and St Stephens Court.

For engineers to carry out the work safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to close part of the carriageway on Accommodation Road for the full duration of the works.  Accommodation Road can still be accessed from Nippet Lane on to Beckett Street.

A clearly signed alternative diversion route will be in place for motorists.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and engineers will be working from Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm, with possible weekend work as required.

Russ Oxley, Construction Services Area Manager Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Leeds City Council to carefully plan these works in order to minimise any disruption to customers.

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these works, and thank 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, option 7 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.

The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing around £200,000 to upgrade ageing gas mains at Swarcliffe Road, Harrogate.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing investment in the area’s gas infrastructure and will involve replacing over 3.6km 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 14-week project, which is due to start on Monday 3 April 2017, has been carefully planned in conjunction with North Yorkshire County Council.

Due to the location of the gas main and in order to carry out the works safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to introduce two way traffic signals on High Street near the railway crossing.  The traffic lights will be in place from Saturday 10 June for around three weeks.

Engineers will be working Monday to Friday between 8am and 5.30pm and this will increase to seven day working when the temporary traffic signals are in place on the High Street, in order to complete the work as quickly as possible.

It’s expected these works may cause some delays to journey times, so motorists are advised to leave extra time for travel whilst the temporary traffic signals are in place.

Shops and businesses in the area will remain open as usual and NGN’s Customer Care Officers will be door-knocking local homes and businesses to make customers aware of the project, while on-site signage will advise motorists of the work taking place.

Robert Hope, Construction Services Area Manager for Northern Gas Networks said: “We have worked closely with North Yorkshire County Council to carefully plan these works and will be doing all we can to minimise disruption to customers.

“We will endeavour to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible and will keep customers updated as the work progresses.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during these works and thank everyone for their patience and support while we carry out this essential upgrade.”

The Swarcliffe Road project will be registered as a Considerate Constructors Scheme site – observing key principles to ensure minimal impact on the environment, customers and the community while following the highest standards of safety.

For further information about the project please contact NGN’s Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766, option 7 or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk.

Anyone that smells gas or suspects Carbon Monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £14,000 to upgrade the ageing metal gas distribution network in Apperley Lane, Bradford.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing 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 project, which begins on Monday 3 April and will last around two weeks, has been planned in conjunction with Leeds City Council to ensure all works are completed during the school holidays in order minimise disruption.

In order to complete the works safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to introduce two-way temporary traffic lights on Apperley Lane between the junctions of Acacia Park Drive and Acacia Park Crescent. These lights will be in place from Monday 3 April for the duration of the project but will be removed from 3.30pm each day, with two-way traffic then permitted until 9.30am.

It’s expected there will be some delays to bus services during this time due to the traffic management in place. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the project and engineers will be working Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm.

Russ Oxley, Construction Services Area Manager Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Leeds City Council to carefully plan these works in order to 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, option 7 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.

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks (NGN) will begin essential gas mains repair work on Whitley Road, North Tyneside from tomorrow (Tuesday 21 March).

Engineers have been closely monitoring a controlled gas escape at the junction of Whitley Road A191 and Station Road North Tyneside, and will be carrying out repair work to fix the pipe.

The work has been carefully planned in collaboration with North Tyneside Council Highways in order to minimise any disruption to customers.

In order for engineers to complete the repair as safely and quickly as possible, some temporary traffic management measures will be introduced.

From Tuesday 21 March, one lane will be closed eastbound on Whitley Road while investigation works are carried out.

It’s expected the work will mean extended journey times for motorists and customers are advised to allow extra time for travel during the work.

Nigel Chambers, Customer Operations Area Manager for Northern Gas Networks said: “The safety of our customers and engineers is our number one priority, and the traffic management is essential in ensuring the general public and our workforce stay safe at all times.

“We’re working closely with North Tyneside Council Highways to minimise disruption to road users, residents and businesses while this essential repair work is taking place, and will continue to monitor and adjust the traffic management required as work progresses.

“We would like to thank customers for their patience at this time and apologise for any inconvenience experienced. We will keep residents and businesses updated throughout the work as we look to finish it as safely and quickly as possible.”

For further information about the work, customers can contact the NGN Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766 option 7 or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk

Anyone that smells gas or suspect carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £46,000 to upgrade the ageing gas distribution network in Queensgate, Huddersfield.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing 60m 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 project which will begin on Monday 20 March is expected to last around three weeks, and has been planned in conjunction with Kirklees Council to ensure all works are completed with as little disruption as possible.

In order to carry out the work safely and efficiently, teams of engineers will be working in the footpath of Queensgate between 8am and 5pm, and then in the carriageway between 7pm and 5.30am.

Traffic flow during evening hours will be controlled through cones placed on the carriageway.

Safe pedestrian access will be provided at all times, with work taking place Monday to Friday with additional weekend hours when required.

Neil Travers, Site Manager for Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Kirklees Council to carefully plan these works in order to minimise any disruption.

“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, option 7 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.

The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN) will be carrying out further preparatory work for an essential gas mains diversion project at Killingworth Road in Gosforth, Newcastle, from Monday 27 March.

The major project to divert a length of gas main away from a section of carriageway due for improvement will begin in earnest later this year, as part of a wider programme of essential maintenance and upgrades on this main route in and out of the city.

NGN will carry out work on behalf of Newcastle City Council and Nexus from Monday 27 March to Friday 31 March. In order for engineers to complete this work safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to temporarily close one lane heading northbound on Killingworth Road between Back Gallalaw Terrace (north) up to and including Salters Bridge during this time.

The southbound lane will remain open during the works, and southbound traffic travelling towards Haddricks Mill will run as normal. All northbound traffic which usually travels along Killingworth Road will be diverted from the Haddricks Mill junction to Salters Lane via the Four Lane Ends junction.

It’s expected the traffic management in place will cause extended journey times, so people are advised to leave extra time for travel.

Access to properties on Back Gallalaw Terrace will be maintained throughout the works and bus companies have been notified of the traffic restrictions in place.

Andy Coyne, Major Projects Lead for NGN said: “We have been working closely with our clients Newcastle City Council and Nexus to carefully plan these works and will do all we can to minimise disruption to road users and local residents.

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused, and thank our customers for their patience as we look to complete the work as quickly and as safely as we can.”

For further information about the works please contact NGN’s Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766, option 7 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

The north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £290,000 to upgrade ageing gas mains in Acklam Road, Middlesbrough.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing investment in the area’s gas infrastructure and involves replacing nearly 600m of existing metal gas mains with more durable plastic pipes, to ensure the continued, safe and reliable supply of gas to customers for years to come.

The 12-week project, which is due to start on Monday 20 March 2017, has been carefully planned in conjunction with Middlesbrough Borough Council.

Due to the location of the gas main and in order to carry out the works safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to introduce a single lane closure on Acklam Road for the duration of the works.  Traffic will not be able to turn right into Malvern Drive from Monday 3 April 2017.

It’s expected these works may cause some delays to journey times, so motorists are advised to leave extra time for travel during the road closure. NGN will endeavour to complete these works as soon as possible, and will provide updates on progress throughout the project.

Shops and businesses in the area will remain open as usual.

NGN’s Customer Care Officers have been door-knocking local homes and businesses to make customers aware of the project, while on-site signage will advise motorists of the work taking place.

Stuart Armin, Construction Services Area Manager for Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with the local council to carefully plan these works and will be doing all we can to minimise disruption to customers.

“We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience customers may encounter, and thank them for their support as we work to complete this project as safely and quickly as possible.”

The Acklam Road project will be registered as a Considerate Constructors Scheme site, following key principles to ensure minimal impact on the environment, customers and the community and observing the highest standards of safety.

For further information about the project please contact NGN’s Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766, option 7 or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk.

Anyone that smells gas or suspects Carbon Monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.