National Grid is to invest £800,000 in replacing 9.5 kilometres of iron gas mains with new plastic pipes in Elsecar in a project starting Monday 10 August.

Local people can find out more about the work at a community forum on Wednesday 5 August between 6:30pm and 8pm at Milton Hall, Wath Road, Elsecar, Barnsley.

Residents will be able to ask questions of the M1 Corridor Gas Alliance, which will be carrying out this essential work to ensure a safe and reliable gas supply to the area for the future.

Work will be carried out in three phases.

Phase 1:
10 August to end of December: Cobcar Lane, then continuing into the estates. Temporary traffic lights will be used in Cobcar Lane, but in the estates most of the works will be on the pavements and will not affect traffic.

The footpath from Cobcar Lane to Welland Crescent under the viaduct will be closed from 10 August for five weeks.

Phase 2:
Beginning of January 2010 for approximately two weeks: Clough Fields Road, Hoyland. Work will take place on the pavement.

Phase 2A
End of January until the end of March 2010: Fitzwilliam Street. Temporary traffic lights will be used along the length of the road.

The project is being carried out by the M1 Corridor gas alliance, a partnership between National Grid and AMEC.  The new plastic pipe will be inserted through the old iron gas mains wherever possible, reducing the need for digging and minimising disruption to local people and motorists.

Danny Jackson, project manager, explained: ”We have worked very closely with the local highways authority to ensure we keep disruption to the absolute minimum.  We apologise for any inconvenience this work may cause.”

Gas supplies will only be affected when the gas supply is being transferred from the old gas pipe to the new one.  Residents and businesses will be notified in advance when this will be happening in their street.  Supplies will only be disrupted during that day.

Please ensure you check for identification when our engineers come to your door.  If in doubt ask a neighbour to help or do not let them in. 

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For further media information only please contact Stephanie van Rosse, National Grid Media Relations on 01455 23113

National Grid
National Grid is an international electricity and gas company and one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. We play a vital role in delivering gas and electricity to millions of people across Great Britain and northeastern US in an efficient, reliable and safe manner. We believe the power of action can play a major role in safeguarding our global environment for future generations and tackling the effects of climate change, providing all our customers with the highest standards of service through network investment and through our talented, diverse workforce.

National Grid owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales and operates the system across Great Britain. It also owns and operates the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain and its distribution business delivers gas to 11 million homes and businesses.

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