National Grid is to replace gas mains in the Plodder Lane area of Bolton as part of a twelve-month programme of work to give the town’s gas supply network a major overhaul.
A total of £9.4m is to be invested in replacing 62km of metallic gas mains with modern plastic pipe. Most of the work in Bolton will be carried out in residential areas, although a number of main roads will be affected.
Work in the Plodder Lane area will start on Monday 1 June and will take 24 weeks to complete. The following roads will be affected: Plodder Lane, Watergate Lane, Slack Fold Lane, Smethurst Lane and St Helens Road. Temporary traffic lights will be in operation on Plodder Lane and Slack Fold Road will be closed for five weeks from Monday 8 June. Diversion routes will be sign-posted.
National Grid has planned the work in consultation with Bolton Council and the local emergency services as the ambulance station is on Plodder Lane.
John Edwards, of the North West Gas Alliance – a partnership National Grid has formed with Balfour Beatty to carry out the bulk of the renewal work in the North West region said: “The gas pipes which run beneath the streets of Bolton have served us well but the time has now come to replace them. The new pipes will last at least 80 years once we get them in the ground.”
In total 2km of 18-inch medium pressure mains will be replaced in the Plodder Lane area. Much of the new plastic pipe will be laid by inserting it inside the existing metal main to reduce the need for excavations.
The mains being replaced in Bolton are a vital part of the gas supply system to the town. The work is part of an investment of over £2 billion a year in National Grid’s gas and electricity networks in the UK.
In the North West alone, £94m will be spent this year on replacing 615km of gas mains.
John added: “We apologise in advance for any disruption but we are asking local people to have patience with us during our work. The short-term pain will be followed by a long-term gain – a safe and reliable gas supply system for many years to come.”
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For further media information, contact Jeanette Unsworth, National Grid Media Relations on 01926 655372