November 16, 9.00am

329 properties have been reconnected to gas supplies as engineers continue to remove water from the gas mains and make repairs.

The incident affecting over 750 properties occurred in the Delves Lane and Castle Dene areas of Consett, County Durham, when water from a damaged water main entered the gas mains.

Our engineers continue to work systematically to reconnect affected properties in certain areas and this process is ongoing.

Teams on site have removed a significant volume of water from the gas mains and continue to do with the support of additional resources.

John Richardson, customer operations area manager, Northern Gas Networks, said: “As our engineers get closer to the area where the water entered the gas mains the damage is greater and the repairs more complex.

“We are working tirelessly to resolve these issues and have additional resources on site to help with the process of reconnecting affected properties as quickly as possible.

“We would like to thank residents for their continued patience and cooperation during this process.  We are doing everything we can to ensure people have access to heating, hot water and food while repairs are being carried out.”

Electric hot plates and heaters are available for residents at the Village Hall on Delves Lane (DH8 7BH) and oil heaters are available for elderly and vulnerable customers.

Free hot food is available from a catering van outside the Village Hall and also from the Golden Fish Inn on Delves Lane. Food vouchers can be collected from the Village Hall.

Complimentary showering facilities are available at Belle Vue Leisure Centre on Ashdale Road, Consett, DH8 6LZ tomorrow 06:30 – 21:30.

Please mention on arrival that you have been affected by the current loss of gas supply. Alternative accommodation is available for vulnerable customers.

If you are elderly, vulnerable or in need of support, or know anyone who is, please contact NGN’s Customer Care Team.

Anyone with questions is advised to speak to an engineer on site, visit the Village Hall or contact NGN’s Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766 option 7 between 8am – 10pm (Monday Friday) and 9am – 5pm (Saturday). Customers need to call 0800 040 7766 select option 5 at any other time.

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

November 13, 2015 – 3pm

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks (NGN) are continuing to work to restore gas supplies to properties in the Delves Lane and Castle Dene areas of Consett, County Durham.

The incident occurred when water from a damaged water main entered the gas mains.

Around 780 properties are currently affected in Birch Grove, Briardale, Castledene Road, College View, Delves Lane, Delves Terrace, Douai Drive, Greencroft Road, Greenways, Greenways Court, Iveston Road, Ladywell Road, Lumley Drive, Meadow View, Pixley Dell and Woody Close.

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks are continuing to work to gain access to the remaining 18 properties so that they can turn off the gas at the meter and work can begin in remove water from the gas main.

John Richardson, customer operations area manager, Northern Gas Networks, said: “We would like to thank residents for their continued patience while we work to restore the gas supplies to customers in the Delves Lane and Castle Dene areas.

“Our priority is to get customers back on gas as quickly as possible and we’re doing everything we can to ensure people have access to heating, hot water and food in the meantime.  Electric hot plates and heaters are available for residents at the Village Hall on Delves Lane (DH8 7BH) and we’re organised oil heaters for elderly and vulnerable customers.

“Free hot food is available from a catering van outside the Village Hall and also from the Golden Fish Inn on Delves Lane.  You can pick up food vouchers at the Village Hall. We’ve also arranged access to complimentary showering facilities at Belle Vue Leisure Centre on Ashdale Road, Consett, DH8 6LZ. Shower facilities are available to use on weekdays between 06:30 – 21:30, on Saturday from 07:00 – 17:00 and Sunday from 07:00 – 19:00. Please mention on arrival that you have been affected by the current loss of gas supply.”

Alternative accommodation is available for vulnerable customers.  If you are elderly, vulnerable or in need of support, or know anyone who is, please contact NGN’s Customer Care team.

Anyone with questions or concerns is advised to speak to an engineer on site, visit the Village Hall or contact NGN’s Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766 option 7.

Regular updates will also be available at northerngasnetworks.co.uk and on Twitter @NGNgas and Facebook.com/northerngasnetworks.

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

A school in Wakefield has been learning important safety messages with the help of Northern Gas Networks’ community artist.

Students from Mackie Hill Junior and Infant School have been working with Mick Hand, Community Artist at Northern Gas Networks (NGN) to produce a mural which has been printed on one of NGN’s vans.

The mural was designed by pupils after they took part in an NGN Play Safe workshop aimed to educate them on the dangers of playing near roadworks.

Earlier this year, NGN began a £250,000 investment to replace around 900m of ageing metal gas mains in the Sandal area of Wakefield with more durable plastic pipes as part of the company’s ongoing development of infrastructure across the north of England. The work was completed in early November.

Warren Iveson, construction services area manager from Northern Gas Networks, said: “We’ve been investing heavily in the underground pipe network in the Wakefield area. The new infrastructure will ensure that our customers continue to benefit from a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come, but we wanted our legacy to extend beyond the pipes that we put in the ground.

“Building lasting relationships with the communities we work in is very important to us, so we’re really pleased the school has worked with Mick to learn about site safety and produce this brilliant mural.”

Mrs Barker, headteacher at Mackie Hill Junior and Infant School, said: “It has been wonderful to work with Northern Gas Networks. Our children have enjoyed creating this beautiful mural whilst learning about key safety messages. The students felt very proud to see their work displayed on site in Sandal and I know they’re looking forward to seeing the van showing their artwork as it drives around the area!”

Warren added, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public for their patience and support throughout the project. We are holding a feedback session for members of the public at Sandal RUFC on Tuesday 17 November from 4-6pm, to help us understand what we did well and how we can improve in the future.”

If you’re interested in NGN’s Play Safe workshops, please email education@northerngasnetworks.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 a day, 7 days a week.

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks (NGN) are carrying out essential work to repair a gas main on the A167, Ponteland Road, Newcastle.

Engineers arrived on site at 9am today (12 November) and are working hard to identify the gas escape and repair the pipe.

Nigel Chambers, customer operations area manager, North Tyne at NGN said: “In order to carry out the work safely and efficiently it has been necessary to close the inside lane on the southbound carriageway of the Ponteland Road, approximately 100 metres south of the Kenton Bar Roundabout.

“We know that no one likes roadworks and I’d like to take the opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience caused by this essential work.”

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 distributor, Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has been nominated for contact centre of the year at the North East Contact Centre Awards in the ‘Crowning Glory – North East Customer Contact Centre of the Year 2015, under 250 seats’ category.

NGN has also been nominated in the ‘Best of British Dream Team’ category up against national household names including Barclay’s Bank, Tesco Bank and AXA.

The annual awards ceremony, which is now in its 12^th year, recognises the best practitioners in the contact and call centre industry from across the region.

NGN received the award nominations due to its successful delivery of exceptional customer service, facilitating employee growth, effective teamwork and continuously improving.

Mark Horsley, CEO of NGN, said: “We’re thrilled to have been nominated for these prestigious awards, especially to be up against such big hitters. At NGN we pride ourselves on delivering the best possible service for our customers as well as taking care of people within our team so that they can progress.

“We know that customer and employee satisfaction go hand in hand which is why we facilitate opportunities for our employees to upskill and share their ideas for improving our service. We’re looking forward to the awards ceremony later this month.”

As well as the ‘Crowning Glory – North East Contact Centre of the Year, under 250 seats’ and ‘Dream Team’ categories, the winners of nine other awards will all be announced on Friday 20 November.

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

The north of England’s gas distributor, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), has become the first utility company in the UK to trial the revolutionary Subterra Subline structural close-fit PE pipe lining technology to minimise disruption to local communities caused by mains replacement.

The trial scheme which took place at NGN’s Considerate Constructor Site at Cutsyke Road, Castleford and a gas mains replacement project in Whitehaven, Cumbria, was conducted after NGN worked with Subterra (part of RadiusPLUS) to investigate alternative ways of replacing large diameter cast iron gas mains.

Using this innovative method in Castleford, the overall project duration was shortened by four weeks, causing less disruption for road users and pedestrians on one of the main roads from Castleford to Wakefield.  Over 100 tonnes of environmental waste was also saved at the site, greatly improving efficiency.

Although the technology has been used with solid wall PE pipes in the past, this is the first time that this pipe renovation method has been used with Radius Systems’ ProFuse, a peelable PE pipe.

In Whitehaven’s busy shopping district, the new technique enabled engineers to replace 740 metres of cast iron main with the new polyethylene pipe, without the need to use the traditional open cut method, avoiding lots of potential disruption to customers. The overall project duration was reduced by six weeks.

The Subterra Subline structural lining process involves concentrically reducing the diameter of the new PE pipe by approximately 10%, by squeezing the pipe between sets of rollers. The reduced PE pipe is then inserted into the existing gas main and expanded to its original size by pressurising with cold water to form a close-fit liner.

Following the success of the scheme, NGN is already investigating ways it can work with Subterra to develop the Subline PE pipe lining method across future gas mains projects.

Warren Iveson, construction services area manager at Northern Gas Networks said: “As Cutsyke Road is one of the main roads used in the Castleford area, we wanted to do everything we could to minimise the disruption to members of the public and limit traffic management without having to cut into the carriageway. The Subterra Subline technology was the best solution.

“Working with Subterra to be one of the first gas networks to utilise the new technology has allowed us to not only become more efficient and reduce the project time but to also guarantee future innovation within gas mains replacement technology. We are already looking into further ways that we can use different methods of ‘rolling down’ pipes that can be shared with other utility companies.”

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.

The company is investing £90 million per year in its gas mains replacement programme which will see around 3,800 km of old metal gas mains replaced by 2021 to ensure the continued, safe and reliable supply of gas to customers for years to come.

For more information go to www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk

The north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £175,000 to upgrade the ageing metal gas distribution network starting at Lime Walk and Elm Road in Ripon.

The major project is part of NGNs’ ongoing development of infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing 3km of existing metal gas mains with more durable plastic pipes to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to our customers in the area for years to come.

The 15 week project, which commenced on Monday 19 October, and has been carefully planned in conjunction with North Yorkshire Council in order to minimise disruption for members of the public.

In order to carry out the work safety and efficiently it will be necessary to install temporary traffic lights on the Harrogate Road, from the junction of Lead Lane to the junction of Harewood Road, from 26 October for approximately two weeks while works are taking place.

Engineers will be working from 8am – 5pm during weekdays and are also carrying out weekend work in order to complete the project as quickly as possible.

NGN’s Customer Care Officers have been door knocking local homes and businesses this week to make customers aware of the work.

Bob Hope, construction services area manager Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with council to carefully plan these works and will be doing all we can to minimise any disruption caused. We know that no one likes roadworks and we’d like to thank members of the public for their understanding.”

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.

Northern Gas Networks, the gas distributor for the North of England, has unveiled a mural on a bridge in Skinningrove to mark two years since severe weather washed the original bridge away, severing the gas supply to the entire town.

Children from Freeborough Academy in Brotton joined NGN’s community artist, Mick Hand, last week to reveal the 15 metre mural that they helped to create during art classes at the school.

The giant piece of art depicts how the local community came together to help engineers from NGN as they worked around the clock to restore the gas supply to customers in the village as quickly as possible in September 2013.

Mick Hand, Community Artist for Northern Gas Networks said: “We’ve got to know the community really well over the past couple of years so it was great to work with the local school to give something back to the village.

“The children have done a fantastic job creating a really eye-catching mural that tells the events of 2013 brilliantly.”

Heather Goodwill, Art Teacher at Freeborough Academy said: “It was lovely to see the kids looking really engaged when they worked with Mick to create this amazing mural. It’s been a great opportunity for our students to work on a piece of public art and I felt extremely proud when the children unveiled it today!”

Councillor Barry Hunt, Redcar and Cleveland Council said: “When the bridge collapsed in 2013, there was a real team effort from Northern Gas Networks and the local community to restore the gas supply and from Carillion to rebuild the bridge. As engineers worked through the night, local residents came together and made them pasties and sandwiches to keep them fueled!

“We’ve forged a really close relationship with Northern Gas Networks and when I suggested doing a mural to put on the bridge they were more than happy to help out. I think we can all be really proud of creating something that will contribute to the history of Skinningrove for years to come.”

NGN believes in getting actively involved in local communities and forging lasting relationships with people living in the area in which it operates.

To find out more about NGN’s Community Promises, please visit http://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/community/.

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 a day, 7 days a week.

The north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing over £46,000 to replace ageing metal gas mains in Sunderland Road, South Shields.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing investment in the gas infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing 700m 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 three week project is due to start on Monday 12 October 2015 and the work has been carefully planned in conjunction with the local highways authority.

In order to carry out the works safely and efficiently there will be two-way traffic lights in place on Sunderland Road which will move down the road as the project progresses towards the A1300 roundabout.

Three way traffic lights will also be in place at the junctions of Grosvenor Gardens and North Avenue whilst works are being carried out in this area.

NGN’s Customer Care Officers have been door knocking local homes and businesses this week to make customers aware of the work.

John Richardson, Customer Operations Area Manager, 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 any disruption caused.

“We would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience this essential work may cause and thank members of the public for their understanding.”

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.

Northern Gas Networks’ (NGN) is working with Baildon Imagination Library to support a charitable programme that improves early childhood literacy and nurtures a love for reading.

A recent study by the National Literacy Trust they found that just half of children living in Yorkshire enjoy reading*.

The north of England’s gas distributer is donating £1,000 to Baildon Imagination Library, following a major upgrade to gas mains in the area in the summer, in a bid to help to encourage parents to read with their children and to build their confidence so that they can enjoy books together.

Earlier this year NGN replaced around 300m of ageing gas mains on the Otley Road and Dockfield Road in the Shipley and Baildon area with new modern plastic pipes as part of the company’s ongoing development of infrastructure across the north of England.

The essential work finished at the end of August, ahead of schedule, and the new pipes will ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the area for years to come.

Ian Cunningham, construction services area manager from Northern Gas Networks, said: “We’ve been investing heavily in the underground pipe network in the Shipley and Baildon area, which is more than 110 years old. The new infrastructure will ensure that our customers continue to benefit from a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come, but we wanted our legacy to extend beyond the pipes that we put in the ground.

“Baildon’s Imagination Library provides vital support to children living in the Baildon area, aiming to develop a love of reading for life and helping them to achieve.  We’re delighted that we’re able to help with our small contribution.”

Councillor Mike Pollard, councillor for Baildon, said: “The work this summer inevitably caused delays and local residents were understandably frustrated, especially after a different stretch of Otley Road was dug up only last year.  However, I was very impressed with NGN for engaging with us this year and informing us of progress.  I was also delighted that the work was completed ahead of schedule in time for the new school term.”

The Imagination Library programme was launched by Dolly Parton in 1995 and is supported by thousands of organisations in communities worldwide and currently helps over 30,000 children in the UK.

For more information about Baildon Imagination Library visithttps://www.facebook.com/baildonimaginationlibrary

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 a day, 7 days a week.