The north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £240,000 to upgrade the ageing metal gas distribution network in Griffe Head Road, Wyke, Bradford.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing 2.3km 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 project, which will begin on Monday 16 May and last approximately 17 weeks, has been planned in conjunction with Bradford City Council to ensure all works are completed with as little disruption as possible.

In order to achieve this, traffic management measures will be in place throughout the project.  There will be two-way temporary traffic lights on Griffe Road for the duration of the works, and the lights will be in place for 100m stretches throughout. Four-way temporary traffic lights will then be placed at the junction of Griffe Drive and Woodkirk Grove beginning 22 August for the last four weeks of the scheme.

NGN’s engineers will be working Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm in order to finish the project with as little disruption to customers as possible.

There will be restrictions on parking for the whole of the scheme and all customers will be contacted regarding this. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout.

Ian Cunningham, Construction Services Area Manager Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Bradford City Council to carefully plan these works in order to minimise disruption to our customers.”

Ian continued: “We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused and would like to thank our customers for their patience and support in completing the project as quickly as possible.”

For further information 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), opened the doors of its Carlisle depot to stakeholders and the local community for the first ever time on Friday (6 May).

The day was a chance for members of public to find out more about what the gas distributor for the North of England does, how it does it and future plans for the Cumbria region.

Left to right. Paul Walker and Andrew Wright demonstrate dealing with a gas escape

NGN employs around 100 colleagues in Cumbria, an area which spans from the Irish Sea on the western boundary to Brampton in the east, extending to the Scottish Borders in the north and Ravenglass in the south. It covers the towns of Keswick, Whitehaven, Carlisle, Workington and Penrith.

People were taken on a tour of the depot and given the opportunity to find out more about NGN’s innovative approach to repairing and replacing gas pipes as well as the work that the company is doing with local schools and to support the more vulnerable members of the community.

Visitors could see first-hand NGN’s life-saving gas detection technology that can detect harmful levels of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. They also got to see its new Core and Vac technology in practice, which reduces the amount of time taken to find a gas leak and make a repair from days to hours.
Matty McBride, Customer Operations Area Manager for the Cumbria area said: “We were delighted to see so many people turn up to our first ever depot day. We had some really great feedback from everyone who came down, and I think we managed to change a few perceptions about what we do and how much work behind the scenes goes into preparing each of our projects.

“Northern Gas Networks provides an essential service to the local community each and every day, so it was a great opportunity to share information about the work we do and also get feedback from our customers and stakeholders to help us continuously improve the service we provide.”

Matty McBride, customer operations manager at the Carlisle depot.

NGN delivers gas to around 109,899 homes and businesses in Cumbria, covering an area of 3,200km2 and housing two depots stationed at Carlisle and Workington.

At the ‘art’ of the community

For this, my first blog in a little while, I want to give you an overview of the schools art workshops we deliver throughout the North of England.

But before I get into that I want to doff my imaginary cap to our amazing Customer Care Officers without whom the workshops wouldn’t happen.

The every day image of NGN could easily be lots of yellow barriers, digging holes and roadworks .  Whilst some disruption is unavoidable when we’re carrying out our vital work, we’re doing lots of things to help make life a little easier for customers.

We’re privileged to be based in the heart of the community and this presents some fantastic opportunities to form relationships with local groups and centres for education including schools, and to give something back.

I recently went to Sandal Castle Primary School in Wakefield where we are carrying out work to replace 2.7km of ageing metal gas mains with modern plastic pipes in Mountbatten Avenue to ensure customers in the area continue to receive a safe and reliable supply of gas for years to come.

I delivered an art workshop to Year 5 pupils (ages 9 and 10) to help them learn about the important work that we do and teach them about how to stay safe near roadworks as well as helping to develop their interest in art.

Some may become artists, some may become engineers and some may even work for NGN, but all will be our future customers.

The workshop

The work shop is two hours long and is made up of two sessions.

In the first hour I present a slide show explaining what a gas distribution company is and how many pipes we have, how many customers we serve, how many staff we employ and the diversity of roles, why we’re replacing the pipes and the importance of playing safely near work sites.

Then I give them an overview of my role as Local Community Artist for NGN by showing them some of my paintings and drawings…

Daily sketches, highlighting the benefits of regular practice in building any skill…

Murals…

Banners..

And charity paintings…

Then I try to explain how real concentration eliminates any distractions and helps you work! Watch this short video to test yourself: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4

Then after the first hour it’s over to them. Working from a handout, each child makes a painting.  Most enjoy it…

Some are not sure at first…

But in the end they are all very proud of their work.

All that remains is for me to photograph the paintings and transform them into a mural before sending them off to print!

Finally, a banner gets delivered to the school and two go on our work sites in the area. And sometimes the mural is printed on one of our vans so that the kids can spot their work when they are out and about.

Well done Sandal Castle Primary School!  You should feel very proud.

“Thank you so much for coming into school this afternoon and working with our Year 5 children.  The children and staff thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and their work was fantastic.  You may even have converted our reluctant artists and inspired them to give things a go! We can’t wait to see the finished mural and show it off in school!”

Sarah Reynolds, Sandal Castle Primary School, Wakefield

The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks, is investing in Ilkley’s gas infrastructure this year, replacing ageing metal gas mains with modern plastic pipes to ensure customers continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come.

Replacement works on the A65 Skipton Road are progressing well, and to minimise disruption to road users, from today (Friday 6 May) NGN engineers have temporarily removed the traffic lights on the A65.

The lights have been replaced with a contraflow system for vehicles to move in opposite directions, and the site is being manned between 8am-6pm to ensure access to side streets.

The temporary traffic lights will return when work reaches a narrower section of the A65, to maintain safety for workers and motorists.

Dean Woolley, Network Officer for NGN, said:  “We’ve reached a wider section of road, so to accommodate the needs of our customers we have temporarily removed the current traffic management system and introduced a contraflow.

“The temporary lights will return when we reach a more narrow section and work will continue under the previous arrangements, as we look to complete the project as quickly and as safely as possible.

“Our customers are extremely important to us and we’re continuing to listen to feedback from the community. If anyone would like to speak to the team they can contact us on 0800 040 7766 or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk.  We’d like to thank everyone for bearing with us while we carry out these essential works.”

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.

Emergency engineers from Northern Gas Networks (NGN) have successfully repaired a gas main on Darlington Back Lane in Stockton and expect the work to be complete by Monday (9 May).

Work began to repair the gas main on Monday 18 April following reports of a smell of gas in the area.

In order to carry out the work safely and efficiently it has been necessary to install temporary three-way traffic lights at the junction of Darlington Back Lane and Yarn Back Lane throughout the work.

Now that the repair is complete work will begin to return the road to normal including filling in the hole and resurfacing the road.

Steve Pigott, Customer Operations Area Manager for Northern Gas Networks said: “The safety of members of public is our number one priority.  We know that no one likes roadworks and we would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused to customers travelling through our works.  Our engineers have been working hard and have now successfully repaired the pipe which means that we should be finished very soon.”

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 celebrating after its Tees Construction Services team won a Bronze award at Thursday’s Considerate Constructor Scheme ceremony in London.

The NGN Tees team with their Bronze CCS award.

Since 1999, the Scheme has been rewarding the UK’s most considerate sites for the contribution they have made towards improving the image of construction. The Scheme looks at the measures a site has put in place to be more considerate towards local neighbourhoods and the public, the workforce, and the environment.

NGN’s site at Lingdale near Saltburn-By-The-Sea earned a Bronze award for the project to install 4km of new plastic gas main connecting three remote villages on the North York Moors.

Inspectors scored the site managed by Alan Walker 39 marks out of 50, praising the measures taken to ensure minimal impact on the environment and liaise with the local community.
The executive report stated: “The contractor has embraced energy-saving measures in the site accommodation.
“The lasting impression that the site team wish to leave on completion is their pride in having a job professionally undertaken of high-quality completed on time.”

Dean Shepherdson, Head of Construction Services for NGN added: “We’re constantly striving to improve our performance in all five elements: safety, community, environment, workforce and appearance.

“To win these awards is testament to the hard work of our team. If our sites are being recognised as minimising impact on customers then we’re delivering the best experience we possibly can.”

NGN is dedicated to maintaining its high standards on site, both for its customers and contractors. The company is constantly monitoring best practice and in doing so, regularly improving its processes and site efficiency.

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 celebrating after its Construction Services team in Cumbria won two top awards at Thursday’s Considerate Constructor Scheme ceremony in London.

Since 1999, the Scheme has been rewarding the UK’s most considerate sites for the contribution they have made towards improving the image of construction. The Scheme looks at the measures a site has put in place to be more considerate towards local neighbourhoods and the public, the workforce, and the environment.

NGN’s site at Belvedere Street in Workington won the Gold award for projects valued below £500,000, and also took home the prestigious Most Considerate Site runner-up award, one of only 33 presented in the UK.

Construction Manager at NGN, Matty McBride collected the awards for the works which involved replacing an old gas main in the centre of Workington with new plastic pipes.

Inspectors scored the project 44 marks out of 50, praising the measures taken to ensure minimal impact on the environment and the community.
They said: “It is abundantly clear that every effort has been expended to ensure the team, operations and outcomes are seen in the best possible light from the customers and the community.”

Most noted in the inspectors’ executive report were measures taken to keep the community informed of progress on the project. This involved delivering letters and ‘winter warm-up’ packs of hats, blankets, gloves and soup for vulnerable customers.

NGN’s Customer Care team also visited local schools to give educational talks about gas, and sponsored a community bus to help serve the area covered by the library on Vulcan’s Lane for people with learning difficulties.

Dean Shepherdson, Head of Construction Services for NGN said: “We’re constantly striving to improve our performance in safety, community, environment, workforce and the appearance of our sites.
“To win these awards is testament to the hard work of our team. If our sites are being recognised as minimising impact on customers then we’re delivering the best experience we possibly can.”

NGN is dedicated to maintaining its high standards on site, both for its customers and contractors. The company is constantly monitoring best practice and in doing so, regularly improving its processes and site efficiency.

The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN) is supporting the Salvation Army in Shipley with a special kitchen contribution.
NGN is carrying out a 25 week project to upgrade ageing metal gas mains in the area with modern plastic pipes to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers for years to come.

The essential works are taking place on Leeds Road and Thackley Old Road, near the Salvation Army church on Rhodes Place.
The project, which has been registered as a Considerate Constructors Scheme, will be monitored on the measures put in place to be more considerate towards local neighbourhoods and the public, the workforce, and the environment.

NGN’s team of Customer Care Officers and engineers have been visiting local community groups and schools in the area to participate in education and charity work.  After speaking to Major Mike Harris at the Salvation Army church, they learned they could make a small difference in the day-to-day managing of kitchen resources.

The church’s chest freezer was reaching the end of its life, so NGN’s Customer Care Officers Amy Waites and Sully Lorgat arranged with colleagues at Caecillian, the small engineering firm that carry out essential gas mains replacement work on behalf of NGN in the Leeds area, for a new chest freezer to be delivered by support drivers Colin McNulty and Richard Wilson.

Major Mike Harris, Corps Officer for the Salvation Army in Shipley, said: “Like many churches and charities we face a constant struggle trying to balance needs with available resources. There’s always something that needs replacing or updating and so we have learned to prioritise.

“The backroom stuff like fridges and freezers get relegated to the bottom of the list but there comes a point where they really are no longer adequate for the job. And that old freezer was definitely past its best-before date. If lots of companies undertook this sort of scheme, it would cause quite a transformation.”

NGN’s Customer Care officer Amy Waites said: “Our customers are extremely important to us, so we were delighted to be able to help the Salvation Army in this way and support the fantastic work they do with the homeless and family groups here in Shipley.”

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 £116,000 to upgrade the ageing metal gas distribution network in Cross Stone Road, Todmorden.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing development of infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing 750m of existing metal gas main 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 began on Monday 14 March and is estimated to last approximately nine weeks, has been planned in conjunction with Calderdale Council to ensure all works are completed with minimum disruption to road users.

To enable NGN engineers to work as safely and efficiently as possible, a road closure was put in place at St Paul’s Church, and a signed diversion displayed.

This was scheduled to be removed on Sunday May 1, however will now be removed on Wednesday May 4.

Paul Jagger, Construction Services Area Manager Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Calderdale Council to carefully plan these works and will be doing all we can 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 this project 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) are carrying out emergency work to repair a medium pressure gas main in Esh Winning, County Durham today (Friday 29 April).

The main is located in a field outside the village.

While safety checks were completed, police temporarily closed the B6302 however the road has now been reopened.

NGN Customer Operations Area Manager John Richardson said: “We have mobilised teams and equipment to repair the main as safely and as quickly as possible.

“There has been no interruption to supply for local customers, however we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to motorists while the road was temporarily closed.”

Northern Gas Networks Customer Care team is available on 0800 040 7766 or you can 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.