Pipelines Maintenance Centre was formed in 1975 to support the National Transmission System that had rapidly grown from the original development of the National Methane System in 1963. Emergency response up until then was fragmented and materials held in a number of Regions. A central emergency stock of pipe and fittings had been assembled in the early 70's and a suitable base for the operation was found at Ambergate (Derbyshire, England) where the gas reforming plant had closed down.