Engineering work to replace National Grid gas mains on Chester’s Hoole Road finished two weeks and two days ahead of schedule.
The work was carried out by North West Gas Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and Balfour Beatty which is working on several other locations in the city as part of their five year programme of works.
Local Hoole and Newton Councillor Adrian Walmsley said: “When I was first informed of the roadworks I was very concerned about the impact they would have on residents and businesses in Hoole.
“Last month I e-mailed the North West Gas Alliance to praise them for carrying out the work with such little disruption. It has exceeded all of our hopes and expectations.”
Paul O’Leary, Construction Operations Engineer at the North West Gas Alliance commented: “The people of Hoole have been really great – everyone has had patience with the works and that, along with the efforts of the team, contributed to the success of this phase of the works.
“It has been really helpful that Cheshire West and Chester Council have allowed my team to ‘hot desk’ in the local highways office.
“This, in conjunction with our Customer Liaison Team, has enabled us to resolve enquires efficiently as well as giving us a local base from which to supervise the works.
“I knew from the start that the only way to work successfully in the historic city of Chester was to form a seamless team with my counterparts from Cheshire West and Chester Council.”
The works are part of National Grid’s programme to modernise the city’s gas supply network by replacing 88 miles of century-old cast iron gas mains with modern polyethylene pipes over five years.
The new plastic pipes will ensure continued safe and reliable gas supplies for Chester and will last around 80 years if left undisturbed once underground.
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Executive Member for Environment Councillor Neil Ritchie said: ”This is an excellent start and well done to the Alliance.
“It is only the start, but it gives us hope that with proper preparations and a
close working relationship with the Council, the North West Gas Alliance can achieve their five year programme of works with the minimum of disruption.”
The North West Gas Alliance is at present working on the A51 Vicar’s Cross Road, the A5268 Nicholas Street in the city centre, the A41 Whitchurch Road near Haslin Cresent in Christleton where work is underway including Durban Avenue. Work is also taking place at Hoole’s Greenbank Road and Westminster Avenue in Westminster Park. Work will begin on Green Lane, Vicars Cross and Lache Lane later this month.
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For further information please contact Councillor Walmsley on 07710 583513, Councillor Ritchie on 01829 250223, Jeanette Unsworth at National Grid Media Relations on 01926 655372 and Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Area Maintenance Engineer Helena Crawford on 01244 976139.