Emergency engineers from Northern Gas Networks (NGN) attended the Gates Shopping Centre in Durham at 9.55 this morning following reports of a smell of gas outside the building.

NGN has evacuated the shopping mall as a safety precaution and is carrying out work to identify the source of the gas escape.

John Richardson, customer operations area manager at Northern Gas Networks said: “The safety of members of public is our number one priority and we have evacuated the Gates shopping centre as a safety precaution.

“We’d like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused and thank everyone for their patience.”

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 £68,000 to upgrade the ageing metal gas mains in Bedford Close, Lepton, Huddersfield.

This major project is part of NGNs’ ongoing replacement of infrastructure in the region and will involve replacing around 1.3km 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 commenced on Monday 4 January and will take approximately 7 weeks to complete, has been carefully planned in conjunction with Kirklees Council to minimise disruption to members of the public.

In order to carry out these works safely and efficiently it will be necessary to put three              two- week long footpath closures in place.  The first closure will be in place on the footpath at 112 Ings Way East from 4 January and will be removed around 17 January.  The second closure will be in place on the footpath at 68 Ings Way East from 11 January until around 24 January.  The third and final closure will be in place on the footpath at 5 Bedford Close from 1 February and will be removed around 14 February. Access will be maintained to properties in the area at all times.

Paul Jagger, Construction Services Area Manager at Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Kirkless Council to carefully plan these works.  Our Customer Care Officers have been speaking to customers in the area to let them know about the work, explain  why we’re doing it and assure them that we will be doing all we can to minimise any disruption caused.

“As the majority of the work will be carried out in the footpath it is necessary to temporarily close part of the footpath on Bedford Close.  We’ve planned the work so that the footpath closure is phased to ensure that we keep disruption to a minimum.  We’ll be doing all we can to provide as much access as possible during the work.

He concluded: “We would like to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this essential work may cause and thank members of the public for their patience and support.”

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.

Residents in Ellenborough, Maryport are being advised that they are now able to return to normal service following an incident at the weekend which saw water finding its way into the local gas mains due to flooding.

Whilst the incident was ongoing we asked local Maryport customers who still had their gas supply to help us, by trying to reduce their gas use until the network has returned to normal.

We are now asking those people who reduced their gas to return to normal usage.

We’d like to thank customers for their patience and goodwill during this incident.

Customers with questions or concerns can call Northern Gas Networks on 0800 040 7766 option 5.

Anyone who smells gas should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999

Essential works to upgrade the gas mains in Masham have been put on hold temporarily due to extreme weather conditions in the area.

Northern Gas Networks (NGN) is investing £340,000 to insert a brand new 1.5km medium pressure gas main using innovative new techniques under the River Ure to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the area for years to come.

The four week project was due to start Tuesday 5 January 2016 but has been postponed after the area was flooded due to rising water levels at Masham where the River Ure is currently at 1.16 metres.

Stuart Armin, Construction Area Manager at Northern Gas Networks said: “Due to the inclement weather we are experiencing we will be unable to start our essential works on the river crossing at Masham.  After much consideration we have taken the decision to postpone the project as the current conditions would deem it unsafe to carry out the works at this moment in time.”

He continued: “We will continue to work closely with the local Highways Authority and Parrish Council to reschedule the works to take place when it is safe to do so.  Unfortunately this delay has been unavoidable and we are very sorry for the inconvenience the postponement of works may cause.  We would like to thank the residents of Masham for their patience and understanding.”

For further information about the project please visit www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk, 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 immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

An investment scheme to replace around 2.5km of ageing metal gas mains on Skipton Road in Ikley has been temporarily postponed.

The ten week project, which was due to commence Monday 4 January has been put on hold following the collapse of a sewer due to severe weather conditions in the area.

The work, which has been carefully planned in conjunction with the local authority, local traders and the Chamber of Commerce, was scheduled to begin in the New Year to avoid the peak Christmas trading period. The project will now commence once the council has completed the repair work to the sewer and it is deemed safe to do so.

Dean Wooley, Site Manager at Northern Gas Networks said: “The gas main in Skipton Road is more than 100 years old and has reached the end of its useful life. Engineers will be replacing it with a modern plastic pipe which will serve the local area for many decades to come.

He continued: “Following the collapse of a sewer in the area, Bradford City Council have asked us to put the works on hold while works get underway to repair the sewer. Once the repair is complete, we will begin our planned gas mains replacement work.

“We recognise that no one likes roadworks and everything will be done to minimise inconvenience to motorists throughout the duration of the work.”

The work has been planned so that it is carried out in 100 metre sections and engineers will be backfilling holes as they go to minimise the disruption caused to members of the public.

In order to carry out the work safely and efficiently it will be necessary to install two way temporary traffic lights on Skipton Road.  These will be manned during the day to keep the traffic flowing as efficiently as possible.

NGN’s gas mains replacement project will start around 500m north of Victoria Road and continue along Skipton Road finishing 300m short of the centre of Ilkley, near to the junction with Yewbank Terrace.

For further information about the project please visit www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk, 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 immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Two apprentices are starting the New Year on a high after completing their training and securing full time jobs at Northern Gas Networks (NGN).

Farrell Canning, 20, and Matthew Moralee, 21, began their training with the north of England’s gas distributor two years ago and are now employed as connections designers. In their new roles, Farrell and Matthew design new gas connection supplies for domestic customers.

Both of the apprentices completed an NVQ Level 2 in customer service and learnt the various aspects required to become designers as well as an understanding and appreciation of other roles across the connections department.

To celebrate Farrell and Matthew’s achievements, the NGN team held a special graduation event to mark their official appointment to the company.

Claire Foster, Connections Design Manager at NGN, said: “Farrell and Matthew have both worked really hard over the last two years and became valued members of the team during their training so it’s great to now have them on board as permanent staff.

“At NGN we strive to nurture talent and we hope that this will be the start of a long and very successful career for the two of them.”

NGN is committed to nurturing future talent and is constantly investing in its workforce.

Farrell, of Sunderland, said: “I’ve really enjoyed my training with NGN and I’m so pleased to be able to start my career with the team I got to know during my apprenticeship. I received a lot of support throughout my apprenticeship and now I’m looking forward to getting stuck in to my new role.”

Matthew, of Gateshead, said: “The apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to work as well as study. During my training I got a real insight in to the day-to-day tasks that take place within the connections team and I’m really happy to be joining NGN now that I’m qualified.”

NGN delivers gas to 2.7 million homes and businesses across the North of England and provides the region’s rapid response service for customers who smell gas at home or work.

For more information go to www.northerngasnetworks.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 over £90,000 to upgrade ageing metal gas mains in Armitage Road, Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield.

This major project is part of NGNs’ ongoing replacement of infrastructure in the region and will involve replacing around 1Km 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 commence on Tuesday 5 January, will take approximately 12 weeks to complete and has been carefully planned in conjunction with Kirklees Council.  The work will be carried out in phases to minimise the disruption caused to members of the public and local businesses.

The gas distributer has also been liaising with residents and business to get advice on the best time to carry out the work and the project has been planned so that it is completed before March, when filming is due to start at a local film studio.

Jade Wardle, Stakeholder Manager at Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with residents, local businesses and Kirklees Council to carefully plan these works and will be doing all we can to minimise any disruption caused.”

In order to carry out works safely and efficiently it will be necessary to install temporary three way traffic lights on Armitage Bridge Road at the junction with Bankfoot Lane from 5 January for approximately three weeks.  Traffic signals will be manned at peak times in order to manage the flow of traffic

Two way traffic signals will then be in place for two weeks from 25 January as the work progresses from the junction of Bankfoot Lane.

The final stage of the work will see a section of Armitage Bridge Road, outside St Paul’s Church, closed from 1 February to 27 March. Signed diversions will be in place.

The footpath on Armitage Road will be closed from 29 February until 27 March however pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

Businesses in the area will remain open as usual.

Jade concluded: “We would like to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this essential work may cause and thank members of the public for their patience and support.”

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.

Our engineers have restored supplies to properties in the east side of Ellenborough in Maryport, after flood water found its way into the gas network at the start of the weekend.

Just over 270 properties were originally affected. Engineers began restoring supplies on Saturday evening (January 2) on a property by property basis, and this work continued today (January 3). All but a handful of homes, where engineers could not gain access (e.g. because property is currently empty) now have gas again.

Teams worked throughout the weekend in difficult conditions to restore supplies as quickly as possible.

Matty McBride, area manager for Northern Gas Networks said:

“We’d like to thank customers for their patience and goodwill during this incident.

“Gas is now back on to all but a handful of properties, where we still need to gain access to carry out safety checks. We’ll be able to switch on these few remaining homes as soon as we make contact with the residents.”

Customers with questions or concerns can call Northern Gas Networks on 0800 040 7766 option 5.

Anyone who smells gas should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999

Our engineers have begun to restore gas supplies to properties in the east side of Ellenborough, after flood water found its way into the gas network.

Supplies were restored to twenty vulnerable customers last night (Jan 2) and work will progress today (Sunday, January 3) to return gas to the remaining 250 properties affected.

Engineers need to carry out essential safety checks on a property-by-property basis, before each household can be switched back on. This process is underway, and will continue throughout the day.

In the meantime, the following welfare facilities remain available until all customers are back on supply:

– A customer drop in centre at Maryport Social Club, Mealpot Road, CA15 6NE.

– Shower facilities at Workington Leisure Centre, Moor Close, CA14 3SA. Opening hours today (Sunday) are 8.30am-5pm.

– Hot food for those without gas supplies can be obtained from Ellenborough Fish & Chip Shop, 126a Main Street, Maryport, Cumbria, CA15 7DU. The shop is open from midday today (Sunday). Food vouchers can be obtained from Maryport Social Club.

– On site catering by Humes Catering Service is available today. Food vouchers available at the Social Club.

– Alternative accommodation for vulnerable customers without gas, and electric hot plates and heaters provided on a priority basis.

– A Northern Gas Networks customer care team is on hand to make sure local residents are given every possible support until supplies can be restored.

Matty McBride, area manager for Northern Gas Networks said:

“We’d like to thank customers for their patience and understanding during this incident. Our engineers will be spending the day switching customers back onto gas supply, which I’m sure will come as a big relief to all. We hope to have all customers back on supply at some point today.

“Although it is now safe for us to restore supplies, we haven’t yet finished our work on the local gas network. Efforts continue to pinpoint where the water found its way in, and to make any necessary repairs.

“Our thanks once again to the local community for their support and goodwill.”

Customers with questions or concerns can call Northern Gas Networks on 0800 040 7766 option 5.

Anyone who smells gas should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

Our engineers continue to work around the clock to restore gas supplies to 270 properties in the east side of Ellenborough, after flood water found its way into the gas network.

The complex nature of the repair means we expect work to continue into tomorrow (Sunday).

We are providing the following support for customers without gas, until supplies are restored:

– A customer drop in centre has been set up at Maryport Social Club, Mealpot Road, CA15 6NE.

– Shower facilities are available at Workington Leisure Centre, Moor Close, CA14 3SA. Opening hours today (Sat) and tomorrow are 8.30am-5pm.

– Hot food for those without gas supplies can be obtained from Ellenborough Fish & Chip Shop, 126a Main Street, Maryport, Cumbria, CA15 7DU. The shop is open until late this evening, and from midday tomorrow.

– On site catering will be provided from 11am tomorrow (Sunday) by Humes Catering Service

– Alternative accommodation is available for vulnerable customers without gas, and electric hot plates and heaters are being provided on a priority basis.

– A Northern Gas Networks customer care team is on hand to make sure local residents are given every possible support until supplies can be restored.

Matty McBride, area manager for Northern Gas Networks said:

“Our engineers are continuing to work hard to restore supplies to the 270 properties affected. Work is ongoing to pinpoint where the water has found its way into the local gas network, so that repairs can be made and the water pumped clear. Once this work has been completed, we will then need to carry out individual safety checks at each property, before we can restore supplies.

“The complex nature of the job means that work will need to continue into tomorrow (Sunday). In the meantime, we will support customers with a range of welfare facilities, and ensure that vulnerable customers are looked after.

“We’re also still asking for local Maryport customers who are not affected by this incident to help us by reducing their gas usage as much as they can, just until things are back to normal.

“We’d like to thank customers for their patience and understanding as we work to restore normal service.”

Customers with questions or concerns can call Northern Gas Networks on 0800 040 7766 option 5.

Anyone who smells gas should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.