National Grid : continues vital work (Summer in City)

As the summer holidays begin National Grid is continuing its essential gas mains replacement work in the City.

29 Jul 2015

▪ Work to start in Gresham Street on Monday 3 August for approximately fourteen weeks

▪ Eastbound road closure between King Street and Moorgate

▪ Minimal dig technology being used to reduce disruption

As the holiday season gets underway National Grid is continuing its programme of essential gas mains replacement work in the City.

Engineers are replacing ageing metallic gas mains with new more durable pipes which will help ensure the local community keep on enjoying safe and reliable gas supplies.

The latest phase of the work will start in Gresham Street on Monday 3 August and will last approximately fourteen weeks. The work has been coordinated with the City of London.

These pipes are over one metre (3.28 feet) in diameter and lie deep beneath the roads. Replacing them will be a major undertaking and to enable work to take place there will be eastbound road closures of Gresham Street, starting from King Street to Moorgate. A signed diversion route will be in place. As the work progresses these eastbound closures may need to be extended but these will be kept to a minimum.

There will be several excavations along Gresham Street and some parking and loading bays may also need to be suspended.

Engineers will be working extended hours with teams working Monday to Saturday from 8am to 7pm and 9am to 4pm on Sundays, to ensure work is completed as soon as possible.

National Grid project engineer, Mick Morris, said: "Wherever possible we're using innovative technology to insert the new pipes into the old gas mains. This is much quicker and less disruptive than digging trenches to lay new mains.

"Throughout our work, all shops and businesses will be open as usual and our engineers will do all they can to deliver this work with as little disruption as possible."

London's network of gas mains was first laid over a century ago and connects to more than two million customers in London, providing them with a safe and reliable gas supply. However old mains need replacing to help ensure Londoners have the energy supplies and the capital has the infrastructure to help support economic growth.

For more advice or information on the project call 0800 096 5678 or go to www.nationalgrid.com/inyourstreet