National Grid engineers are carrying out essential gas mains replacement works over the next six weeks on Manchester Road in Bury.

The bulk of the work to replace a 1.3km stretch of 15 inch diameter gas main has been timed to take place during the school summer holidays to ease congestion on roads in the area.

The work is being carried out on Manchester Road close to the town centre and the football ground and lane restrictions are in place.

National Grid is carrying out the work in partnership with Balfour Beatty. It is part of an eight month long programme of work to replace metal gas mains with modern plastic gas pipes designed to last at least 80 years.

Stephen Murray, contract manager, National Grid said: "People in Bury enjoy a safe and reliable gas supply and our job is to make sure it stays that way.

"Last year, we've spent nearly £3 million renewing 29km of gas mains across the town.

"This year our work is continuing and we'll be replacing mains on a number of main roads and in residential areas. We promised we'll let people know when we're about to start work. We'll get the job done as quickly and as tidily as possible. We'll do our best to keep traffic flowing and to make sure streets and driveways remain accessible.

"If people want to know more about our work and how it will affect them, they can get in touch with us on 0161 703 1000 or 1010."

A video which shows what people can expect to see during the operation to renew gas mains in their street can be viewed on Google or YouTube by entering National Grid Gas Mains Replacement (UK) in the search box.

National Grid will be renewing around 450km of gas mains in the North West over the next twelve months. This is part of £22 billion programme of investment in the company's energy networks in the UK and US over a five year period. 

Stephen added: "We have a vital role to play in the UK energy industry. We must continue to provide a safe, reliable and efficient service and to help the Government meet the UK's environmental targets. To deliver this we have to become a much more innovative company, drive through efficiencies, and work more closely with our customers and stakeholders to meet their expectations of us. "

Ends

Contact for media information only:

Jeanette Unsworth
National Grid Media Relations
+44 (0) 7785 290230
jeanette.unsworth@nationagrid.com


Out of hours duty press officer:
+44 (0) 1926 653000

Photos:
For photos relating to this news release please visit the National Grid photo stream
For more information, please visit our website:
www.nationalgridmedia.com


Notes to Editors:

National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. We own and manage the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source. In Britain and the north-eastern states of the US we run systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.


In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.

National Grid in the UK:

  • We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
  • We own and operates the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
  • Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 11 million homes and businesses
  • We also own a number of related businesses including LNG importation, land remediation and metering
  • National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service free phone line on behalf of the industry - 0800 111 999 (all calls are recorded and may be monitored).
  • Our portfolio of other businesses is mainly concerned with infrastructure provision and related services where we can exploit our core skills and assets to create value. These businesses operate in areas such as Metering, Grain LNG Import, Interconnectors and Property. National Grid Carbon Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid and it undertakes Carbon Capture Storage related activities on behalf of National Grid.
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