Last month representatives from the North of England’s gas distributor, Northern Gas Networks (NGN) took part in the industry’s first customer innovation summit, facilitated by the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC).

The event, which took place in London, brought together experts from the gas and electricity distribution companies along with delegates from across the wider energy sector to explore how the industry might work together to deliver better, fairer, more accurate and responsive proactive customer service.

Dermot Nolan, Ofgem chief executive, opened the summit. He said: “Through RIIO we have put in place customer incentives to encourage the energy networks to serve consumers better, and we’re delighted to see evidence that these measures are working.

“We have been promoting the use of innovation to improve customer experience and we’re really keen to see the industry build on these successes as it adapts to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.”

Addressing the current and future needs of energy consumers has become central to the mandate of all UK gas distribution networks (GDNs) and distribution network operators (DNOs). Each network business has already embarked on a profound transformation to become more customer focused and responsive to emerging customer needs such as distributed generation, alternative energy sources and community energy initiatives.

Denise Massey, managing director, EIC said: “Unlike in other sectors, there’s a remarkable consistency in the challenges faced across all network businesses, and as we strive to achieve the financial incentives that are on offer through regulation, this has also resulted in a culture of competition.

“Competition has brought us so far but if we want to go further, it is not always in the public’s interest. Duplication of effort and resources may get passed on to the consumer in their bills, and has led us to the conclusion that we have much more to gain through collaboration, than through competition.

“This collaborative mindset is the driving force behind the three innovation summits that the EIC is hosting this financial year. Each of these events will create an opportunity to explore what industry collaboration in specific business areas might look like and enable us to understand how we might work together to deliver the transformation that will  not only address today’s needs, but the needs of the future too.”

Mark Horsley, CEO, Northern Gas Networks and Chairman of the Energy Innovation Centre, said: “The day was all about rolling up our sleeves and trying to create some new solutions for our respective industries by focusing in on the ambition of what we can achieve together.

“Innovation creates change and change always carries risk, however if, collectively, we can get this right then I really believe that the benefits to our customers will be game-changing.”

Northern Gas Networks is investing over £145,000 to upgrade around 900m of existing gas mains in Pontefract.

The project is part of Northern Gas Network’s ongoing development of infrastructure across the north of England and will involve replacing existing metallic 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 14 week project, which commenced on Monday 28^th September 2015, has been planned in conjunction with Wakefield Council.

Work will be carried out in phases to help minimise disruption:

Phase 1 (September 2015) Work will commence on Monday 28^th September 2015 at the junction of Lyon Road and Hardwick Road. In order to carry out the work safely and efficiently it will be necessary to install temporary three-way traffic lights at this junction for approximately three weeks.

Phase 2 (October 2015) Work will continue along Hardwick Lane, temporary two-way traffic lights will be in operation along Hardwick Lane throughout this phase for two weeks.

Phase 3 (October 2015) Work will progress along Hardwick Lane to the junction of Ackworth Road, three way traffic lights will be in place at this junction for approximately two weeks.

Phase 4 (November/ December 2015) Our final phase of works will be carried out on Ackworth road were two way traffic lights will be in place for approximately six weeks. Works will complete in the area December 2015.

Warren Iveson, Customer Operations Area Manager, Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Wakefield Council to carefully plan these works and we will be doing all we can to minimise any disruption caused.

“We know that no one likes roadworks and would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience caused 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.

The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £92,000 to upgrade ageing metal gas mains in Driffield.

The major project is part of NGN’s ongoing investment in the gas infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing over 700 metres 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 five week project will commence on Monday 5 October and has been carefully planned in conjunction with Driffield Town Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

The essential work will begin on Beechwood Road and will continue onto Skerne Road and Elm Road. Finally work will move onto Harper Street before finishing in Wansford Road.

In order to carry out the work safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to close Harper Street to traffic from Monday 26 October for two weeks. A signed diversion will be in place for motorists during this time.

NGN’s Customer Care Officers have been door knocking local homes and businesses to make customers aware of the work, answer any questions and address any concerns they may have.

Bob Hope, construction services area manager at Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Driffield Town Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council to carefully plan these works and we will be doing all we can to minimise any disruption caused.

“We know that no one likes roadworks and would like to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused 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.

The north of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £106,000 to upgrade ageing metal gas mains in Acre Street, Huddersfield.

The major project is part of NGNs’ ongoing development of infrastructure in the area and will involve replacing around 65m 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 six week project will commence on Monday 5 October and has been planned in conjunction with Kirklees Council.

In order to complete the works safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to close one lane on Acre Street at the junction of New Hey Road from the 5 October for around six weeks. A signed diversion will be in place for motorists trying to access New Hey Road from Arce Street.

As part of the work, Kirklees Council will be temporarily removing a traffic island on Acre Street at the junction of New Hey Road.

NGN’s Customer Care Officers have been door knocking local homes and businesses to make customers to talk to them about the work and answer any questions they may have.

Paul Jagger, construction services area manager at Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Kirklees Council to carefully plan these works and will be doing all we can to minimise any disruption caused.

“We know that no one likes road works and we want to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank customers in the area for their continued patience.

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 are carrying out emergency repair work to a medium pressure gas main on Park Head Bank in New Coundon.

In order to carry out this work safely and efficiently it has been necessary to install temporary two way traffic lights at Park Head Bank on the A688.

Unfortunately this is causing some disruption to traffic travelling between Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland.

Steve Pigott, customer operations area manager at Northern Gas Networks, said: “We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused while we carry out work to repair the gas main.

“The safety of members of the public is our number one priority and would like to reassure members of the public that we will do all we can to complete this work as quickly as possible.”

If you smell gas you should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 immediately. Your call will be answered any time day or night and an engineer will be sent out to assess the situation promptly.

Northern Gas Networks teamed up with Northern Powergrid and national charity, Groundwork to run a trial project aimed at tackling fuel poverty in Bradford and Leeds.

Working with 80 households from August to November this year, ‘Green Doctors’ from Groundwork provides detailed energy assessments in order to advise people on how best to run warm and energy efficient homes and lower their energy bills, as well as installing simple solutions to improve home energy efficiency.

The scheme is assisting vulnerable customers by helping them to access cheaper tariffs and / or switch energy suppliers. By supporting and guiding service users through this process, ‘Green Doctors’ is delivering an average yearly saving of £259 per household.

The service also helps people to apply for a water meter (where appropriate) putting a yearly average of £200 back into their pockets. Furthermore, home energy efficiency changes made under the scheme also create an annual average saving of 1.73 tonnes of CO2 per property.

As well as providing practical advice and energy saving tips, the project also saw energy efficient light bulbs and carbon monoxide alarms fitted at the participating households.

Mr Singer, one of the residents to take part in the project, discovered that he could save over £400 per year just by switching his energy suppliers and installing a water meter.

“I wouldn’t have done these things without the Green Doctors but there are big savings to be made and it’s a little bit less complicated than I thought it was. I’m really pleased about the savings I’ve made”, said Mr Singer.

NGN believes in getting actively involved in local communities and forging lasting relationships with people living in the areas 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.

Local man, Craig Skinner is following in his father’s footsteps by embarking on a career at Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the North of England’s gas distributor.

Craig’s father, Alan Skinner, has worked at NGN his entire working life and is due to retire in 2016 after 40 years with the company. Alan was Craig’s inspiration for joining the gas industry however, the Skinners are not the only ones with relatives working at NGN. The gas distribution network employs over thirty family groups across its vast network which maintains 37,000km of pipeline, the equivalent distance from Leeds to Sydney, Australia and back again.

After originally training as a plumber and earning his gas safety qualifications, Craig joined NGN two years ago as a first call operative but has since been promoted to a regional coach. In his new role, Craig travels across Halifax, Huddersfield and Dewsbury to facilitate the training needs of NGN engineers ensuring that health and safety standards are met and customers receive the very best service.

Explaining about his job role, Elland resident, Craig said: “When I joined NGN I was part of a response team that repaired gas mains in the event of a gas emergency. However through hard work and career progression opportunities at NGN, I was able to earn a promotion and take on more responsibility.

“I now travel to sites across the network and it sounds cliché but it means that every day is different as the work required at each site varies. I can be offering technical advice one day, running a training session the next or even assessing engineers’ driving to ensure they are travelling safely through our communities.”

Now he has progressed through the business, Craig is responsible for ensuring that engineers across the NGN network, including his own dad, are following correct procedures so that repair works are repaired as quickly and safely as possible.

“Joining NGN seemed like a natural choice since my dad has worked with them for so long and I knew so many people already working at the company, even if it does feel odd sometimes giving advice to people I’ve known for years”, added, Craig. “Even though my new role as a regional coach is a huge adjustment from my previous position, I’ve built up a great rapport with the engineers and it’s really rewarding when we’re able to resolve problems on site.”

Susan Wareham, HR Director at NGN said: “We employ over 2,000 people across our network and there are lots of different generations of families working with us at any one time which is great to see. Our vision for NGN is to ‘Be the Best’ and part of that philosophy is valuing our colleagues  and ensuring that they’re supported and given opportunities for progression which shows as people are recommending us as employers to their friends and family members.”

Craig is now working towards a future promotion. “As a regional coach I hope to be able to progress even further and become a site manager at some point in future but right now I’m still really enjoying getting my teeth in to this new role”.

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) is urging people in Newcastle to have their home gas appliances checked as part of this year’s Gas Safety Week.

To mark the national initiative NGN has teamed up with Gas Safe Register and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to offer a number of free home safety checks for shoppers at Newcastle’s intu Eldon Square shopping centre. By working together, the three organisations hope to raise awareness of the risks of badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances such as cookers, fires and boilers.

People will be able to register for a free assessment and the installation of a Carbon Monoxide Alarm if they meet specific qualifying criteria.

CO is often referred to as the silent killer as it has no smell, colour or taste making it difficult to detect, resulting in around 50 deaths in the UK each year as well as many hundreds  of people needing medical treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning.

This is the fifth annual Gas Safety Week, which this year runs from the 14 to 20 September and aims to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances.

Experts from NGN, Gas Safe Register and the Fire and Rescue Service will be hosting information stands at intu Eldon Square on Wednesday 16 September where people will be able to ask for advice and sign up for the home safety checks.

Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy at NGN said: “Poorly maintained gas appliances can be really dangerous and we take the safety of customers very seriously. We want to make people aware that a few simple checks can have a big impact on improving the safety of their appliances to prevent gas leaks, fires, explosions and CO poisoning.

“It is recommended that gas appliances are checked every year to ensure that they are in good condition and this should be done by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.”

Kevin Gardner, Area Manager for Community Safety at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can literally make the difference between life and death in the event of a fire or a carbon monoxide leak, so we’d urge as many people as possible to visit the information stands in intu Eldon Square.”

The information stand at intu Eldon Square can be found outside Boots, near the escalators on the first floor and near the Apple store on the ground floor.

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

Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the gas distribution network for the north of England is supporting a charity bike ride that is raising money for four different charities.

A group of five cyclists, including NGN’s director of stakeholder relations, David Gill, are cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Huntington’s Association and Alzheimers Society.

On Sunday 6 September the group, who have a combined age of 270, began the gruelling 12 day challenge where they are aiming to cycle around 100 miles a day to reach the small village in the Scottish Highlands. NGN are supporting the cyclists by providing a support vehicle to accompany the group throughout the famous journey.

David Gill said: “I’m very excited to be taking part in the challenge, if a little nervous! I decided to take part following a major operation a couple of years ago and felt LEJOG would be a great way to get fit again whilst raising money for some excellent causes at the same time.

“We’ve been in training since March, cycling around 160 miles a week and we’re pleased to finally be underway. It’s going to be really hard work but a lot of fun at the same time!”

Graham Watson, Corporate Manager at Run for All is also taking part in the challenge.

Graham said: “We’re delighted that NGN are supporting us throughout the challenge and I’m sure the van will be a huge help!

“We’ve already raised a fantastic amount for the charities, but if you would like help us raise even more money for these fantastic causes, please visit www.justgiving.com/David-Gill9.

The group is aiming to raise £5,000 for its chosen charities.

You will be able to follow David’s progress on the Northern Gas Networks Twitter page @NGNgas.

The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), is investing £160,000 to upgrade the ageing metal gas mains on Skellow Road, Carcroft.

This major project is part of NGNs’ ongoing replacement of infrastructure in the region and will involve replacing over 1.2km 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 13 week project will begin on Monday 24 August and has been carefully planned in conjunction with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.

In order to carry out these works safely and efficiently it will be necessary to install temporary two and three-way traffic lights on Skellow Road from Monday 24 August for three weeks at the entrance of Asda Superstore.

As the work continues along Skellow Road, three way-lights will be placed at the junction of Queens Road and Skellow Road for around three weeks followed by four way lights at the junction of Owston Road and Skellow road for a further three weeks.

The work will be completed Owston Road where two way traffic signals will be in place for the final week.

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

Warren Iveson, Construction Services Area Manager Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Doncaster council to carefully plan these works and will be doing all we can to minimise any disruption caused.

Warren continued: “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, 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 per day, 7 days per week.