Northern Gas Networks is upgrading ageing metallic gas mains in Shildon, County Durham.

The project, an investment worth over £119,000, is part of Northern Gas Networks’ ongoing development of infrastructure across the north of England and will involve replacing more than 1400m of existing metallic gas main 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 essential work will commence in Queensway on Friday 7 November and will progress to Coronation Avenue, Baysdale Gardens, Eskdale Gardens, Farndale Gardens, Glaisdale Avenue, Cleveland Avenue, Westerdale and Spout Lane. The project is expected to take around nine weeks to complete.

The essential work has been carefully planned so that roads and pavements remain open as usual throughout the duration of the project, ensuring local shops and businesses will not be affected by the works.

Gordon Thompson, Customer Operations Area Manager, Northern Gas Networks said: “We have been working closely with Durham County Council to carefully plan these works and will be doing all we can to minimise any disruption caused and keep traffic flowing as normal.

“Our Customer Care team is door-knocking residents in the area to help ensure they are aware of the work and we will have a customer cabin located on site which will be manned one day a week and act as a local drop in point for customers who have questions about the work.  The cabin will be open every Wednesday between 10am and 1pm.

“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.”

You can contact the Northern Gas Networks Customer Care team on 0845 634 0508, option 7. The team is available between 8am and 10pm Monday to Friday, and 9am and 5pm on Saturday but the line is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the North of England’s gas distributor is supporting a national week aimed at highlighting ways consumers can reduce their energy bills.

Big Energy Saving Week, which takes place this week (20-24 October 2014) is being led by Citizens Advice in collaboration with the Energy Saving Trust and involvement from gas distribution networks, energy suppliers, government and other charitable organisations.

The week is designed to raise awareness of energy and efficiency issues among the general public.

Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy, Northern Gas Networks, said: “The Big Energy Saving Week is a great way to spread awareness of energy issues and help people save money on their utility bills.

“Every year, Northern Gas Networks helps around 10,000 customers in the north of England save money on their energy bills, by connecting them to the gas mains.

“Our region has one of the highest levels of fuel poverty in the country, and we are working hard to tackle this by offering assisted connections to those who spend more than 10% of their total income on heating.”

Mr Bell added: “There are a number of free Big Energy Saving events taking place across our network this week, offering members of the public the opportunity to find out more about their energy bills and pick up tips on how to save money.”

To mark Big Energy Saving Week, NGN has listed ten top tips for saving energy:

1. Use low energy light bulbs – they last up to 10 times longer and use a quarter of the energy of ordinary light bulbs. Turn your lights off when you’re not using them.
2. Cover gaps near doors and windows – Unless your house is brand new you can lose heat through gaps and up the chimney too.
3. If a centrally heated room is too hot don’t open the window – turn the thermostat down. Reducing the temperature by 1 degree can cut your fuel bill by 10%.
4. Turn your lights off when you leave a room – they don’t need to be on.
5. Having a shower uses much less water and fuel than a bath. (Though a power shower will use the same as both!)
6. Keep saucepan lids on when cooking to reduce condensation and to save energy.
7. Turn off appliances rather than leave them on standby as they still use up to a quarter of the electricity.
8. Don’t fill your kettle right up every time – just use what you need but always cover the element.
9. Set your washing machine to wash at 30 degrees
10. Use a bowl to wash up in rather than leaving the hot tap running – this will waste much less water.

For further information and to find your nearest Big Energy Saving Week event, please visit http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/campaigns/current_campaigns/besw/bigenergysavingweek.htm.

If you think you might be entitled to a free connection, please visit: http://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/your-connections/domestic/free-connections/.

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

A collaborative project has been announced which will trial the use of a new type of smart carbon monoxide (CO) detector and its potential for preventing deaths or illness from CO poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is difficult to detect because it has no smell, taste or colour. Breathing in carbon monoxide can be fatal as it blocks the ability of the blood to absorb oxygen. Around 40 people in the UK die each year as a result of CO exposure with around 4,000 people requiring hospital treatment or visits to the doctor.

Scottish business, Smart Compliance Ltd, has spent four years researching carbon monoxide to develop an intelligent detector. Unlike traditional CO monitoring devices, which only give local alert warnings and require weekly checks by the user, the Smart Compliance device sends SMS notifications of any CO alerts to a nominated mobile phone. The detectors also issue weekly reports confirming that they are fully functional and that the battery still has sufficient charge.

The project is being supported by the Energy Innovation Centre, which works with the UK’s electricity and gas network operators and others to accelerate the discovery, development and deployment of energy innovations to a global market. The Centre has helped Smart Compliance to secure backing for the project from three of the UK’s major gas distribution networks: National Grid, Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities.

For the gas network operators, the trial has the potential to demonstrate the benefits that intelligent CO detectors can have on protecting vulnerable customers, accelerating emergency response times and ensuring the appropriate response from first responders. It will also provide vital understanding of behaviours and acceptance of the technology in the home, and create opportunities to inform future CO awareness raising and education.

Scott Wallace, Director of Smart Compliance said: “This is an exciting step towards reducing the harmful effects of low levels of carbon monoxide and raising awareness of this killer. The Energy Innovation Centre has been proactive in helping us shape the project, and facilitated support and funding from the gas network operators.  We want people to be safe in their own homes and to be aware of this potential risk to their health.”

Ian Coates, innovation engineer for Energy Innovation Centre, said: “Smart Compliance is a great example of an enterprising business with an innovative technology that has the potential to create real value for energy customers, and for vulnerable groups in particular.”

“We’re delighted that three of our gas industry partners have come on board with this project as an industry-wide issue, such as carbon monoxide monitoring and detection, really calls for a collaborative response.”

Eileen Brown, Head of Customer Experience at Northern Gas Networks said: “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and raising awareness about the dangers of CO across our network and protecting them from the dangers is very high on our agenda. By trialling this innovative new CO detection equipment collaboratively with the other GDNs nationally, we are able to go further than ever before in our relentless fight against the silent killer.”

Steve Edwards, Head of Regulation, Wales & West Utilities, said: “We are always looking for new ways to engage with our key stakeholders to raise awareness of the dangers of CO.  We are delighted to be involved in this partnership encouraging innovation in minimising CO related deaths and injuries across the UK.”

Richard Court, head of stakeholder delivery, National Grid said: “We are passionate about keeping our customers safe from the dangers of CO poisoning and we are actively working to raise awareness and change behaviours.  Innovation plays a key part in this and we are delighted to be backing this intelligent CO alarm, which will help to bring us one step closer to less deaths and injuries from CO poisoning.”

The project officially started on 16^th July 2014 with the installation of the units due to commence at the beginning of November 2014. The trial of the units will last for seven months. Smart devices will be installed in 600 properties throughout the country including social housing, student accommodation and other vulnerable people.  Data from the detectors will be closely monitored and shared with the gas network operators so that the benefits of the trial can be thoroughly assessed.

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks have worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to carry out emergency repair work to a medium pressure main outside the John Gill Ltd garage on Bedale Road, Bedale.

Due to engineering difficulties however, specialist equipment is now required to complete the repairs. As a result, Bedale Road remains closed at present.

Northern Gas Network’s Customer Operations Area Manager, Gordon Thompson said;

“This is a complex repair where we need to bring in specialist equipment to work with. We are working around the clock to minimise disruption to local residents and motorists and apologise for any inconvenience caused. “

For more information please contact our Customer Care team on 0845 634 0508 or speak to one of our engineers on site.

If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, please call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999. This contact number is in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Northern Gas Networks is investing more than £200,000 to replace approximately 2547m of ageing metallic gas mains in Durkar Low Lane and Ledgard Drive, with new durable plastic pipes.

This essential work will ensure the continued, safe and reliable supply of gas to residents in the area for years to come.

The first phase of the work will commence in Durkar Low Lane on Monday 20th October.

Under the scheme, work will also be carried out in the following roads: Broadacres, Kenton Drive, Maybury Avenue, Fox Court, Green Acres, Ledgard Drive, Lee Crescent and Orchard Drive.

The project is expected to take approximately 11 weeks to complete.

In order to carry out this work safely and efficiently, two-way temporary traffic lights will be in place on Durkar Low lane for approximately two weeks from Monday 20^th October.

Northern Gas Networks customer care officers have been liaising with businesses and residents to ensure that they are aware of the work, and answer any questions.

John Pickering, Customer Operations Area Manager, Northern Gas Networks said; “We have planned our work closely with Wakefield Metropolitan Council, to minimise disruption to both residents and motorists.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this essential work may cause and thank everyone in advance for their patience and understanding.”

If you have any questions about the works please don’t hesitate to contact the Customer Care team on 0845 634 0508, option 7. The line is in operation 24 hours a day.

If you smell gas or suspect Carbon Monoxide please call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.

 Engineers from Northern Gas Networks are carrying out emergency repair work to a medium pressure main outside the John Gill Ltd garage on Bedale Road, Bedale.

In order to carry out this essential repair work safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to close Bedale Road from 7pm tonight. (Fri 17 October.)

Northern Gas Network’s Customer Operations Area Manager, Gordon Thompson said;

“We are working very closely with North Yorkshire Council to plan the emergency repair work, and will be closing the road after the rush hour period tonight.

“The gas main runs down the middle of the road so unfortunately repair work can’t be carried out using traffic management. We will be using signed diversions so that motorists can get in and out of the town without too much disruption.

“We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause motorists and the general public and I can assure everyone that we will be working all weekend, day and night to repair the pipe as quickly as possible.

For more information please contact our Customer Care team on 0845 634 0508 or speak to one of our engineers on site.If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, please call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999. This contact number is in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Customers with no gas supply in Brough with St Giles, near Catterick Garrison, are advised to call ESP Utilities on 01372 227 560 for updates on supply restoration.

The local gas network serving affected properties is owned and maintained by ESP, not by Northern Gas Networks.

ESP Utilities can also be reached at: customerservices@espipelines.com

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks are assisting ESP, and proving hot plates and heaters to those customers who need them.

Gas supplies have been restored to the majority of homes in Moldgreen and Tandem, following a localised problem with low pressure on Monday evening (6 October).

Around 130 homes in the area were taken off supply, while engineers from Northern Gas Networks resolved the low pressure issues.

Yesterday (October 7) engineers restored supplies to more than 120 of these properties – with contact cards left for remaining customers.

 A spokesperson from Northern Gas Networks said: “Supplies were restored to all but a handful of properties yesterday and our engineers have been carrying out safety checks in each home, before reconnecting them. Where customers were not at home, we’ve left contact cards, so they can call us to get their supply restored.

 “Our apologies to customers for any inconvenience caused.”

Gas pressure in Moldgreen and Tandem has been restored to normal levels, following a localised problem with low pressure last night (October 6).

As a precaution, around 130 homes were taken off gas supply last night, while engineers from Northern Gas Networks resolved the low pressure issues.

Engineers are now in the process of restoring supplies to affected homes. Vulnerable customers, with the most urgent need of gas, had their supplies restored last night.

A spokesperson from Northern Gas Networks said: “Our apologies to customers who were affected by the low pressure problems last night.

“The situation has been resolved, and we’re now in the process of getting homes back on supply. We need to do this on a property by property basis, so that we can carry out essential safety checks, before reconnecting each customer. Our thanks to customers for their patience.”

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks are carrying out investigation work this evening (October 6) following reports of low gas pressure affecting homes in the Moldgreen and Tandem area of Huddersfield.

As a precaution, gas supply has been switched off to around 130 homes while the cause of the low pressure is ascertained.

A spokesperson from Northern Gas Networks said: “Our apologies to customers for this interruption to their gas supply. We are working as quickly as we can to find out the cause of the low pressure, and restore normal service.”